Self-portrait 

Jules Bastien-Lepage painted this self-portrait, capturing his likeness in the late 19th century, a time of significant social and artistic change in France. Bastien-Lepage, born into a peasant family, often explored themes of rural life and labor. His identity as a man from the countryside deeply influenced his artistic vision, as he sought to depict the realities of rural existence with honesty and empathy. This self-portrait offers an intimate glimpse into the artist's persona. The painting prompts us to consider the artist's self-perception, and how he chose to present himself to the world. The gaze is direct, yet there is a certain vulnerability, a kind of openness. Ultimately, this self-portrait serves as a poignant reflection on identity, ambition, and the complexities of self-representation during a period of profound social and artistic transformation.