41 - Jean-Étienne Liotard (1702–1789)

Jean-Étienne Liotard (1702–1789) Self-Portrait as a Young Man. Circa 1731. Etching “from life.” 100 x 114 [120 x 133 mm]. Roethlisberger-Loche 18. A very fine print on laid paper, from the second state (of 3), before the false bite mark at the edge was removed; mounted by the corners on vellum. Small margins. Extremely rare. Formerly in the collection of A. P. F. Robert-Dumesnil (Lugt 2200). AABM stamp (Lugt 3075). "There are no known prints of the first state of the engraving, only two proofs. One belongs to the collection of the Fondation Custodia in Paris, and the other, previously unpublished, is now part of Geneva’s cultural heritage. Only five copies of the second state (featuring additions to the hair, face, and background) are known to exist worldwide today, in addition to a single copy of the third state (National Library of France). [N.B. The BnF holds a print of the third state printed in bistre, without the stain on the edge]. This early self-portrait by Liotard is therefore extremely rare. In this etching, Liotard depicts himself in a three-quarter profile, in close-up, at about thirty years of age, gazing into the distance—unlike in all his other self-portraits, where he looks directly at the viewer. Wearing a shirt collar, with his hair in its natural state, captured on the spot and looking almost surprised, the artist appears more youthful than in his next self-portrait, dated 1737 and created in Florence. Over the course of his career, the artist produced only about fifteen prints. Unlike his “manières noires” from the 1770s and his later prints, Liotard uses a very free line here, with short strokes and large areas left white. In this way, he brings spontaneity and lightness to his work, in the style of a draftsman rather than a professional engraver." (Geneva Museum of Art and History).