Portrait of the Artist - Maxime Maufra

A lithographic self-portrait of the French Post-Impressionist artist Maxime Maufra, depicted with his palette in a studio setting.

This lithograph presents a self-portrait of the French artist Maxime Maufra. The composition focuses on the artist at work, positioned behind a large, prominent palette that occupies the foreground. Maufra is depicted with a serious, contemplative expression, his gaze directed slightly away from the viewer. He wears a dark coat, which contrasts with the lighter, sketch-like quality of the background and the palette itself.

Behind the figure, a framed work is visible, suggesting a studio setting. The execution relies on varied line weights, characteristic of the lithographic medium, to define form and shadow. Maufra, associated with the Pont-Aven School, often explored the rugged coastal regions of Brittany. While his painted works frequently capture the dramatic interaction between sea and rock, this portrait offers a more intimate view of his professional identity. The handling of the medium demonstrates a focus on texture and tonal gradation, typical of late nineteenth-century printmaking practices. The artist's signature is visible on the surface of the palette, grounding the image in his personal practice.

This print provides insight into the persona of an artist who moved between the influence of Paul Gauguin and the more traditional observations of the natural world. The composition is balanced, with the weight of the palette anchoring the lower portion of the frame, while the artist's face draws the viewer's attention to the upper centre. It is a direct, unadorned representation of the creative process, capturing the artist in a moment of quiet focus within his workspace.