Who painted Self-portrait?

Self-portrait was painted by Adriaen van der Werff in 1699.

Where can I see Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is held by Uffizi Gallery.

What movement is Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Self-portrait

Adriaen van der Werff , 1699

Self-portrait is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Adriaen van der Werff. It dates from 1699 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Adriaen van der Werff’s self‑portrait, executed in oil in 1699, presents the artist in a richly coloured robe of red and gold. He holds a small canvas depicting a woman and child in one hand and a painter’s palette in the other, while his face, illuminated against a dark backdrop, commands the viewer’s attention.

Subject & Meaning

The work functions as both a personal likeness and a statement of professional identity. By displaying a finished genre scene within the portrait, van der Werff underscores his skill in narrative painting, while the subtle smile and inquisitive gaze suggest confidence in his artistic reputation during the height of the Dutch Golden Age.

Technique & Style

Van der Werff employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, allowing the luminous fabrics and the painted miniature to emerge from the deep shadows. The smooth, almost polished surface typical of his late‑Baroque approach highlights fine detail in the facial features and the textures of the robe, creating a sense of three‑dimensional presence.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the portrait entered the collection of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, where it remains on display. Its presence in a major Italian institution reflects the broader European interest in Dutch artists of the period and provides a rare visual record of van der Werff’s own appearance.