Self-portrait Ramon Casas i Carbo (1866-1932)

The drawing presents a male figure in a three-quarter pose, gazing directly at the viewer. He is depicted with a dense, dark beard and mustache, which dominate the lower portion of his face. A wide-brimmed hat casts shadows across his forehead and upper cheeks, contributing to a sense of depth and volume. The man holds a smoking pipe in his hand, positioned near his mouth; smoke curls upwards, adding a dynamic element to the composition.
The artist employed a technique that emphasizes tonal variation through hatching and cross-hatching, creating an impressionistic rendering rather than precise detail. This approach softens edges and contributes to a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. The background is left largely unrendered, appearing as a warm, neutral tone which allows the figure to take center stage.
The man’s expression appears contemplative, perhaps even slightly melancholic. His gaze is direct but not confrontational; it suggests an introspective quality. The presence of the pipe might be interpreted as a symbol of intellectual pursuits or artistic creation – a common association with smoking in artistic circles.
The overall effect is one of quiet dignity and self-assuredness, conveyed through the subject’s posture and facial expression. Theres a sense of personal narrative embedded within the work; it feels like a glimpse into the character of an individual who values introspection and perhaps solitude. The signature at the bottom right corner suggests a deliberate act of claiming authorship and identity.