Artwork

Selvportræt

Selvportræt, by Unknown, 1850
Selvportræt, by Unknown, 1850

Selvportræt is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Selvportræt is a black-and-white portrait from circa 1850, depicting a woman turned slightly to her left. The work is part of the collection at the Museum of Ethnography.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a woman with her hair styled in a sleek, pulled-back manner accented by a single framing curl, conveys a sense of understated elegance. Her high-necked dress, adorned with lace trim at the collar and cuffs, suggests a modest yet refined demeanor.

Technique & Style

The portrait exhibits a soft, nuanced quality with gentle, one-sided lighting casting subtle shadows on the subject's cheek and neck. Notably, the lace details are rendered in sharp contrast, highlighting the artist's attention to texture.

History & Provenance

Created around 1850 by 2817_person, the work's history prior to its acquisition by the Museum of Ethnography is not detailed here.

Context

The use of chiaroscuro, evident in the interplay of light and shadow, adds depth to the portrait, a technique commonly employed in 19th-century portraiture to create visual and emotional depth.

Legacy

No specific information is provided regarding the impact or legacy of Selvportræt beyond its presence in the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known