Self-Portrait 1626 - 1668

Charles-Alphonse Dufresnoy painted this self-portrait in oil on canvas sometime in the mid-17th century. Here, Dufresnoy presents himself as a confident artist, hand posed elegantly as he leans on a block. Born in Paris, Dufresnoy was part of a generation of French artists who looked to Italy, and especially to the art of classical antiquity, for inspiration. We might consider this self-portrait as Dufresnoy’s statement of purpose, as it shows the artist aspiring to a certain social status by embracing classical values. His art speaks to the hierarchies of the French academy and the social expectations of the time. By studying archival documents, letters, and exhibition records, we can trace the artist’s place within the artistic and social networks of his time. Looking at these sources helps us understand how Dufresnoy and his contemporaries shaped the art world. It's through this kind of historical investigation that the social life of art comes into view.