Self-portrait in a fur cap: bust 1758

Claude Henri Watelet's "Self-portrait in a fur cap: bust" from 1758 is a small-scale etching, a printmaking technique using acid to create the image. The artist, a prominent French art collector and writer, is depicted in a simple, intimate portrait, wearing a fur cap and a collared shirt. The detail in the fur cap and his face reveals the skill of the printmaker, capturing a personal touch and providing a glimpse into the life of an influential figure in the 18th century. The etching's small size, often seen as a preliminary sketch, suggests a more personal and intimate approach to self-portraiture.