The artwork titled “Self-Portrait. Caricature” was crafted by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1885. This piece, executed with ink, is a representation of the Post-Impressionism art movement and falls under the genre of self-portrait. It takes residence at the Musee Toulouse-Lautrec, located in Albi, France.
The artwork portrays the artist in a caricatured manner, depicting himself with exaggerated features that lend a humorously critical quality. The figure is shown in profile, showcasing a prominent, sharply angled nose and chin that juts forward prominently, both contributing to the character’s distinct visage. He wears a long coat adorned with clearly marked buttons, projecting an elongated silhouette, and a hat that sits atop his head, its brim tilted upwards. His hands are not vividly detailed, but one can infer that one hand is slipped into his pocket while the other may be holding an object, perhaps a walking stick, which adds to the portrayal of the figure’s stance. The legs appear slightly bent at the knees, giving a casual, nonchalant air to his posture.
The drawing’s line quality is clean and confident, with minimalistic strokes that nonetheless capture a strong sense of character and presence. Toulouse-Lautrec’s stylized approach is reflective of his ability to convey a wealth of narrative and personality with a sparse economy of line, a skill that would come to define much of his later work. Overall, this self-portrait offers insight into the artist’s self-perception and his inclination towards the playful, whimsical distortions characteristic of caricature.
