Self-Portrait (with Cows) - Jean-Jacques de Boissieu

A detailed 1796 etching by Jean-Jacques de Boissieu, depicting the artist with a classical bust and a drawing of cattle.

Jean-Jacques de Boissieu, a draughtsman and printmaker from Lyon, produced this self-portrait in 1796. The work demonstrates his technical mastery of etching and drypoint, techniques he utilised to achieve a remarkable range of tonal values. In this composition, the artist presents himself in a three-quarter view, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a heavy coat. He holds a small framed drawing, which depicts a rural scene featuring cattle, a subject for which he was well known during his career.

Before him sits a classical bust, which serves as a reminder of the academic traditions that informed his practice. The presence of a quill pen and an inkwell on the table suggests a scholarly approach to his craft. The lighting is dramatic, with a strong contrast between the illuminated face of the artist and the shadowed background, a method that draws the viewer's attention to his steady, observant gaze. The fine lines of the etching are particularly evident in the rendering of the fabric and the textures of the bust, showing his ability to manipulate the copper plate to create depth and volume.

Boissieu remained largely independent of the Parisian art schools, preferring to work in his native Lyon. His output often focused on rural life and the natural world, which he captured with precision and a sense of quiet observation. This self-portrait provides a clear view into his professional identity, balancing his role as a creator of pastoral imagery with the intellectual rigour of a classical artist. The print is a fine example of late eighteenth-century French graphic art, reflecting the period's interest in both the idealised past and the observation of the everyday.