Who painted Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait was painted by Unknown in 1719.

Where can I see Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Self-Portrait

Unknown , 1719

Self-Portrait is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1719 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

The composition is concise, focusing on the sitter’s face and upper torso, and measures a modest size typical of personal portraiture of the period.

Self-Portrait, executed in 1719 by the artist identified as 608_person, is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work presents a solitary male figure rendered against a dark backdrop, allowing the sitter’s features to dominate the visual field. The composition is concise, focusing on the sitter’s face and upper torso, and measures a modest size typical of personal portraiture of the period.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas depicts the artist himself, dressed in a brown hat and matching jacket, his long, curled hair spilling over his shoulders. He gazes directly at the viewer with a solemn expression, his eyes and brows rendered with meticulous attention. The direct engagement suggests a contemplation of identity and presence, common themes in early‑18th‑century self‑portraiture.

Technique & Style

Rendered in a Baroque idiom, the painting employs chiaroscuro to model form through stark light‑dark contrast. The illuminated face emerges from the surrounding gloom, creating a three‑dimensional effect. Fine brushwork delineates the texture of hair and fabric, while broader strokes suggest the shadowed background, exemplifying the period’s interest in drama and depth.

History & Provenance

Created in 1719, the work entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on view. Its attribution to 608_person is based on museum records, and the piece has been cited in catalogues of Baroque portraiture as an illustrative example of self‑representation from the early eighteenth century.