Artwork
Zelfportret
Zelfportret is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Antonius Suweyns. It dates from 1788 and is held in the collection of the Groeningemuseum.
About this work
Overview
Antonius Suweyns painted an oil self‑portrait in 1788 that now belongs to the collection of the Groeningemuseum. The work presents the artist himself, identifiable by his white wig and painter’s attire, positioned against a dark backdrop with a hint of green curtain.
Subject & Meaning
In the composition the sitter holds a brush in his right hand and a palette in his left, suggesting a moment of artistic concentration. His serious expression and poised brush convey a sense of deliberation about the act of painting itself.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the portrait employs a limited palette that emphasizes the contrast between the illuminated figure and the shadowy background. The rendering of the wig, fabric folds, and the subtle modeling of the face reveal a careful handling of light and texture typical of late‑18th‑century Flemish portraiture.
History & Provenance
Created in the final decade of Suweyns’s career, the painting entered the Groeningemuseum’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s representation of regional artists from the period.
Artist & collection
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