Self-Portrait, frowning: Bust

Created by the 24-year-old artist in 1630, this is one of the most attractive of his small, early self-portraits. Slightly larger in size than most of this period, in this plate he has clearly gained in stature and confidence since his first etched depictions of himself. Although as much a study of a particular facial expression as a true self-portrait, there is an element of swagger and arrogance about it. In its aplomb and pose, one shoulder forward and the face turned to confront the viewer, it foreshadows the famous Self-Portrait leaning on a Stone Sill (see lot 73), that most flamboyant of all his etched self-portraits.
There is something amusing - and certainly endearing - about this portrait of the artist as an angry young man, with his wild hair, tight lips and furrowed brow, staring down the viewer.
This impression of the rare second state comes from the slightly mysterious but outstanding Carlyon Collection, which goes back to the late 18th or early 19th century and had been tucked away in a country house in the far West of England for several generations.