Anselm Feuerbach cultivated a personality cult that bordered on the insufferable and which was reflected in a profusion of self portraits. Here the young Feuerbach draws inspiration from the painting techniques of Rembrandt, whose self portraits he had studied closely. To achieve his penetrating gaze, Feuerbach often checked his physiognomy in a mirror. This portrait is a document both of self-scrutiny and self-posturing, with theatrical lighting that almost demonizes his aspect. It is what art historians term a ‘formula of pathos’ that allows the artist, not shy of announcing his genius, to show his personality in just the right light – gas light, in this case. (http://www.i-am-here.eu/en/gallery.html)