Self-Portrait

WAG 10505

Information

Ford Madox Brown's second recorded self-portrait. The drawing's dates coincide with two key years in his life which saw the birth of his daughter Catherine and his marriage to her mother Emma Hill in 1853. The unadorned, Clear cut image shows the strong influence of Holbein. William Michael Rossetti, brother of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, described his appearance: ‘He was a vigorous-looking man, with a face full of insight and purpose; thick straight brown hair, fair skin, well-coloured visage, bluish eyes, broad brow, square and rather high shoulders, slow and distinct articulation. His face was good-looking as well as fine; but less decidedly handsome, I think, than it became towards the age of forty. As an old man he had a grand patriarchal aspect.'