Self-portrait

Bellucci's self-portrait of 1684 was painted before his extensive travels in northern Europe, when he was still primarily working within the Venetian tradition. Self-portraits of this period typically served both as professional statements and personal records. Bellucci presents himself in the guise of a confident young artist, establishing his identity at a moment when he was beginning to attract the international attention that would eventually take him to the courts of central Europe.

The artist presents himself in three-quarter view with the direct gaze characteristic of self-portraiture. Bellucci's warm Venetian palette is evident in the flesh tones, modelled with careful attention to light and shadow. The handling of the costume is looser than the face, a standard hierarchy of attention in self-portraits of this period.