This print is of the "Self-Portrait" by well-known Missouri artist George Caleb Bingham. As the artist looks directly at the viewer, he successfully creates the effect of employing the viewer as mirror (-art.nelsonatkins.org). An interesting play on reflection arises from this dynamic that critics often relate to Bingham's career as an artist. As one of the last self-portraits Bingham created before his death he was likely valuing the relationship between subject and artist as well as the opportunity to be both. He reinforced that opportunity by incorporating his drawing surface and utensil and thus the act of himself creating the piece in the final product. George Caleb Bingham was a Missouri artist and politician. During his lifetime, he was known as “the Missouri Artist.” Painting his most significant pieces between 1845 and 1860, Bingham produced many remarkable drawings, portraits, landscapes, and scenes of social and political life on the frontier. He was also active in civic affairs and contributed to the political life of Missouri before and after the Civil War.(https://shsmo.org/historicmissourians/name/b/bingham/)