Self-portrait at the age of 57 1848

Francesco Hayez painted this self-portrait in oils, around the time he was a leading figure in the Milanese art scene. Look closely, and you’ll see Hayez depicts himself not just as an individual, but as a symbol of artistic and perhaps national identity. Painted in Italy, likely around 1848, the year of revolutions across Europe, the image signifies the artist's commitment to the Romantic ideals of individual expression and national identity. Notice the tools of his trade – the palette and brushes – these are not just props, but emblems of his artistic vocation. Hayez was director of the Brera Academy. Portraits in the 19th century weren’t just about likeness; they were about conveying social status and cultural values. Hayez’s progressive approach challenged the conservative artistic establishment and contributed to a broader cultural shift towards valuing individual expression and national identity. Historical research, including the study of Hayez's letters, contemporary art criticism, and the records of the Brera Academy, can shed light on the complex social and institutional context in which this self-portrait was created.