In this melancholic self-portrait, Fuseli’s head is resting on his hand, looking out at the beholder, or more probably at his own image reflected in a mirror which he might have used to portray himself. The artist’s entranced gaze is emphasized by the inertia of his hand which holds the tired head. The hands are prominently displayed as if Fuseli wants to remind the beholder that they are the artist’s tools. (http://www.thedrawingsource.com/self-portrait-drawings.html)