Self-Portrait 1866

Frederic Bazille made this self-portrait with oil on canvas. The dark background and the artist’s somber attire throw his pale skin and bright palette into sharp relief. The materiality of oil paint allowed Bazille to blend colors seamlessly, achieving a lifelike rendering of skin and fabric. As you can see, the texture of the paint varies. Smooth in some areas, and more visibly brushed in others, creating depth and dimension. The act of painting itself, like any form of skilled labor, requires training, practice, and an understanding of materials. Bazille’s self-portrait showcases not only his artistic talent, but also the physical labor involved in producing a painting. The tools of his trade, the brushes and palette, become symbols of his profession, blurring the lines between art and craft. Understanding the artistic process allows us to appreciate the artist’s skill and labor.