Self-Portrait 1778 - 1780

Editor: Here we have Jean-Étienne Liotard's self-portrait, created between 1778 and 1780, using etching techniques. There's a quiet confidence in his eyes that I find intriguing. What strikes you when you look at this portrait? Curator: Ah, Liotard! A fascinating figure. What grabs me is the raw honesty. The etching, that delicate dance of light and shadow, reveals every line, every wrinkle—the map of a life lived, etched right onto his face! And that slightly tilted head, the hint of a knowing smile… I feel like he's about to let me in on some grand secret of the universe, perhaps whispered in Swiss-French, naturellement. What do *you* make of his… attire? Editor: I hadn't really thought about his clothes. A cap and what looks like a dressing gown? Curator: Exactly! It’s informal, isn't it? Unlike those powdered wigs and formal coats you see in so many portraits of the era. Liotard is presenting himself as an intellectual, comfortable in his own skin – a revolutionary act, if you think about it. It's almost as if he's saying, "Here I am, take me or leave me. I'm too busy contemplating the cosmos to worry about fashion!" This “je ne sais quoi”, how does it strike you? Editor: I like your point about being "revolutionary," now that you mention it. It goes against what you expect in a Neoclassical portrait. More about character, less about presentation. Curator: Precisely! Maybe he knew he’d still look fabulous hundreds of years later. It’s why this portrait isn’t just a face; it's a glimpse into the soul of an artist. And an invitation to ask ourselves what we choose to reveal of ourselves to the world. It’s wonderfully subversive, in a quiet way. Editor: It is interesting to think how much a seemingly simple portrait can convey about a person’s character and time! Thanks for the insight. Curator: My pleasure! Keep looking, keep questioning, keep feeling – that’s where the real art is!