Self portrait 1859

Henri Fantin-Latour made this self-portrait using oil on canvas during the 19th century. Fantin-Latour uses visible brushstrokes that make the surface of the artwork. The dark background contrasts with the crisp white of the artist’s shirt, emphasizing the textures of the folds of the fabric, and its materiality. The visible brushstrokes also draw our attention to the amount of work, and the conscious process of applying the paint to canvas. Consider the skill involved in manipulating oil paint to create realistic depictions. Fantin-Latour would have spent a great deal of time learning how to mix colors, blend tones, and apply brushstrokes. The artist makes the painting process visible to the viewer, and the materiality of the oil paint apparent. Ultimately, the making of the artwork is just as important as what it represents.