In this self-portrait, Alexander Roslin has reproduced his distinctive snub-nosed physiognomy. The artist also looks unusually good-natured. However, many Swedes who visited Paris testified that Roslin’s amiability could sometimes be volatile, revealing a vain busybody. Sergel provided this somewhat unflattering description: “Roslin is well, he is always enthusiastic about his own works and always satisfied when he can criticise others”.