Portrait of the artist 1894 - 1896

Marcellin Desboutin's "Portrait of the artist" (1894-1896) is a self-portrait etching in which the artist is depicted in a simple but striking manner. His face is shown in detail with a heavy beard and a thick head of hair, which is covered by a soft cap. The artist’s face is turned slightly to the side, and he stares directly at the viewer with a thoughtful expression, revealing his personal style and artistic process. The print, which is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies Desboutin's skillful and masterful use of etching, a technique that he was well-known for.