Who painted Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait was painted by Unknown in 1647.

Where can I see Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Self-Portrait

Self-Portrait is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created around 1647, this self‑portrait by the artist known only as 1644_person is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1647, this self‑portrait by the artist known only as 1644_person is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work presents a solitary figure, a man with dark hair and beard, positioned against a predominantly shadowed backdrop. The composition is intimate, focusing on the sitter’s direct gaze and the subtle suggestion of a window or dark form to the right.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter leans on a dark ledge, his posture conveying a calm, contemplative demeanor. His facial expression is serious, framed by a light‑coloured shirt and a fur‑trimmed cloak that drapes over his shoulders, hinting at personal status or comfort. The straightforward gaze engages the viewer, inviting reflection on identity and self‑presentation in the mid‑17th‑century context.

Technique & Style

The painting employs a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, with a stark contrast between illuminated facial features and hands and the surrounding gloom. This lighting strategy isolates the figure, emphasizing form and volume. The loose brushwork of the shirt and the textured rendering of the fur‑lined cloak demonstrate the artist’s handling of fabric and fur within a limited colour palette.

History & Provenance

Attributed to 1644_person and dated circa 1647, the portrait entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified later date. Its provenance remains limited to institutional records, with no documented earlier owners or exhibition history, underscoring the work’s relative obscurity within the broader canon of 17th‑century portraiture.