A detailed etching self-portrait by the Dutch artist Cornelis van den Berg, showcasing traditional eighteenth-century printmaking techniques.

This etching presents a self-portrait of the Dutch artist Cornelis van den Berg. The work displays the technical characteristics of eighteenth-century printmaking, utilising a series of fine, hatched lines to construct form and shadow. The artist is depicted in a three-quarter view, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a garment fastened with a prominent button at the collar. His expression is direct, with the gaze meeting the viewer with a sense of quiet observation.

The background is rendered with vertical parallel lines, a common technique in period portraiture to create a sense of depth without distracting from the subject. The artist employs varying densities of line work to define the contours of the face and the texture of the hair, which falls in soft waves to the shoulders. The composition is contained within a rectangular plate mark, typical of the era's print production methods.

Cornelis van den Berg was active during a period when the tradition of the artist's self-portrait remained a standard exercise for practitioners to demonstrate their skill in capturing likeness and character. This print offers a glimpse into the personal presentation of an artist working within the Dutch tradition. The focus remains on the structural integrity of the facial features, with the etching process allowing for a high degree of control over the tonal values. The work is a study in line and shadow, demonstrating the artist's ability to translate his own appearance into a reproducible medium. The simplicity of the presentation allows the viewer to focus on the individual features and the specific handling of the etching needle, which provides a clear record of the artist's hand.