The artwork titled “Self-portrait” by Edward Lear, a notable figure in the Romanticism art movement, epitomizes the self-portrait genre. This piece showcases Lear’s distinctive style and reflects his personal engagement in the artistic practice of self-representation.
In the artwork, the viewer observes an illustrative depiction wherein Edward Lear presents his name to a skeptical onlooker, inscribed on a hat. The viewer is drawn to the meticulous and expressive detailing in the figures, with Lear on the right, holding the hat, and the astonished stranger on the left. The scene captivates through its humorous and somewhat whimsical portrayal of identity authentication, underscored by the inscription below: “Lear showing a doubting stranger his name in his hat to prove that Edward Lear was a man and not merely a name. Drawn by Himself.” This piece not only exemplifies Lear’s artistic prowess but also his penchant for wit and humor.
