Self-Portrait - Adrian Ludwig Richter

A detailed 1855 self-portrait etching by the German artist Adrian Ludwig Richter, capturing the artist at age fifty-two with precise line work.

This etching, dated 1855, presents a self-portrait of the German artist Adrian Ludwig Richter at the age of fifty-two. Richter, a figure associated with the Biedermeier period and the Romantic movement in Germany, captures his own likeness with the precision characteristic of his graphic work. The composition is focused on the head and shoulders, rendered with fine, controlled lines that define the contours of his face, the texture of his hair, and the folds of his heavy, fur-collared coat.

The artist gazes slightly to the left of the viewer, his expression composed and thoughtful. The use of hatching and cross-hatching creates subtle gradations of tone, providing volume to the features without the need for heavy shading. The collar of his coat and the bow tie are depicted with particular attention to detail, reflecting the sartorial standards of the mid-nineteenth century. Below the portrait, the artist has included his signature, the date, and a note indicating that the work was etched by his own hand, alongside publication details from Leipzig.

Richter is widely recognised for his illustrations of German folk tales and his depictions of rural life, yet this portrait offers a more intimate view of the man himself. The clarity of the line work demonstrates his technical proficiency as an etcher, a skill that allowed him to produce widely circulated prints during his lifetime. This piece provides a clear example of the portraiture style prevalent in mid-century Germany, where a balance between realism and a certain idealised composure was sought. The print remains a document of the artist's appearance during his mature years, reflecting the quiet dignity often found in his broader body of work.