The artwork titled “Self-portrait as a young boy” was created by Giovanni Boldini in the year 1856. Executed with oil on paper, it adheres to the Realism art movement and measures 16.5 by 13.5 cm. As a portrait genre, the piece displays a realistic depiction of the artist himself during his youth.
In this distinguished artwork, Boldini portrays himself with remarkable attention to detail and a keen sense of realism. The young artist is captured with a calm and composed expression, wearing a dark beret and a formal black attire with a white shirt beneath. Holding paintbrushes, the depiction underscores the early embodiment of Boldini’s dedication to his craft. The background is subdued, ensuring that the focus remains on the figure, which emanates a sense of youthful determination and reflective poise. The signature of the artist, “Boldini,” in the lower left corner, authenticates the intimate and personal nature of this self-representation.