Self-Portrait in a Hat

c. 1790

Anne-Louis Girodet de Roucy-Trioson

(French, 1767–1824)

Culture

France, 18th century

Medium

black chalk, with stumping, heightened with traces of white gouache

Support

Light gray wove paper laid down on beige(1) wove paper

Measurements

Sheet: 21.6 x 17.5 cm (8 1/2 x 6 7/8 in.); Secondary Support: 21.6 x 17.5 cm (8 1/2 x 6 7/8 in.)

Credit Line

Delia E. Holden Fund 1978.79

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

Self-portraiture was a common practice among the young artists who, like Anne-Louis Girodet de Roucy-Trioson, worked in the studio of the acclaimed history painter Jacques-Louis David.

Description

Anne-Louis Girodet de Roucy-Trioson created this self-portrait as a young man, in his 20s, while living in Italy after winning the prestigious Prix de Rome. The artist meets the viewer's gaze boldly and directly from underneath his distinctive hat. The drawing is one of several depictions that Girodet created of himself around this time and may have been intended as a gift by exchange for a colleague.