Self Portrait 1765

Pompeo Batoni's self-portrait, now housed in the Bavarian State Painting Collections, presents us with a compelling image of the artist holding his tools. Note the brushes and the palette—symbols of his craft. This motif of the artist with tools echoes across time, from ancient depictions of craftsmen to Renaissance portrayals of artists as intellectual figures. Consider, for instance, how medieval artisans were often depicted with their tools, symbolizing their skill and dedication to their craft. Here, the brush is more than a tool; it is an attribute of the self, almost like a scepter. The gesture of holding these tools close speaks to the intimate relationship between the artist and his work. It’s as if the artist is saying: “I am what I create.” Such visual claims resurface throughout art history, evolving with each new era. This act isn't just a display of craft but a profound assertion of identity, a recurring theme in the theater of human expression.