Portret van Charles Howard Hodges c. 1784 - 1837

This is a self-portrait in graphite by Charles Howard Hodges, an English artist who found success in the Netherlands during a time of considerable political upheaval. Hodges lived through the Batavian Revolution, a period profoundly influenced by both the American and French Revolutions. Here, Hodges portrays himself with a direct gaze, his features rendered with delicate shading. Notice the soft curls framing his face and the subtle expression that hints at introspection. As an artist who made his living primarily painting portraits for the elite, it’s interesting to consider how Hodges chooses to represent himself. Is this how he saw himself, or how he wished to be seen by others? The choice of the self-portrait is particularly interesting when viewed through the lens of identity and self-representation. It invites us to consider not only Hodges’s artistic skill, but also his understanding of selfhood and how he positions himself within the shifting social landscape of his time.