Zittende rokende man (zelfportret?)
ca. 1740 - ca. 1801
Medium
etching
Dimensions
217; 140
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
plaatrand: hoogte 217 mm x breedte 140 mm
Art Historical Context
Discover the evocative etching *Zittendeende man (zelfport?)*—or "Seated Smoking ManSelf-Portrait?)"by Dutch artist Jacobus Buys, created between circa 1740 and 1801. Measuring a compact 217 mm high by 140 mm wide, intimate print depicts a figure seated in quiet repose, pipe in hand, evoking a moment of personal reflection. The tentative self-portrait label hints at Buys' possible introspection, a common motif in 18th-century European portraiture. As an etching, the work highlights Buys' skill in this precise intaglio technique, where acid bites into a metal plate to create rich, tonal lines ideal for capturing subtle textures like smoke wisps or fabric folds. Popular in the Dutch tradition following the Golden Age, etchings allowed artists like Buys to produce affordable, detailed images blending portraiture with genre scenes. In the cultural landscape of the Enlightenment era, this scene nods to tobacco's growing popularity in Europe after its introduction from the Americas, symbolizing leisure and contemplation amid everyday life. A charming glimpse into 18th-century Dutch domesticity, it invites viewers to ponder the artist's own gaze.
About the Artist
Jacobus Buys · 1724–1801
Comment on works: Portraits; History; Genre; Vignettes