Self-Portrait c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Ernest Meissonier's "Self-Portrait," and I must say, there's something incredibly intense about his gaze. It feels almost confrontational, yet also vulnerable because it's unfinished. What strikes you most about this work? Curator: It's like catching Meissonier in a moment of self-assessment, isn't it? The unfinished quality, for me, amplifies that feeling. Imagine him pausing, charcoal in hand, perhaps questioning his own reflection and the image he projects to the world. Do you feel that rawness too? Editor: I do! It's almost as though we're seeing him without his permission. Thanks for sharing your perspective. Curator: And thank you – it is always interesting to imagine the artist behind the canvas.