Who painted Self-portrait?

Self-portrait was painted by Carl Larsson in 1906.

Where can I see Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is held by Uffizi Gallery.

What movement is Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Self-portrait?

Museum-quality prints of Self-portrait are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Self-portrait

Carl Larsson , 1906

Self-portrait is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Carl Larsson. It dates from 1906 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.

About this work

Overview

In 1906 Carl Larsson painted an oil self‑portrait that now belongs to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. The work shows the Swedish artist seated before a window draped with blue curtains, surrounded by domestic objects such as a candlestick, a plate and a framed picture. He is dressed in a white shirt, black tie and hat, and holds a small clown doll in his left hand.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait presents Larsson as a bearded, bespectacled figure, emphasizing his personal identity through familiar attire and the playful inclusion of a clown doll. The surrounding interior, rendered with modest furnishings, reflects the artist’s lifelong interest in everyday life and the intimate spaces he often depicted in his watercolors.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting combines the precise draftsmanship associated with Larsson’s watercolors with a richer, more textured handling of pigment. The brushwork conveys the softness of the curtains and the sheen of the glass, while the muted palette of whites, blacks and blues underscores the restrained, Arts and Crafts aesthetic that informed his broader oeuvre.

History & Provenance

Although Larsson is best known for his watercolor scenes of family life, he produced a modest number of oil works, this self‑portrait being a notable example. Acquired by the Uffizi Gallery, the piece forms part of the museum’s collection of European portraiture, illustrating the cross‑national appreciation of a Swedish artist whose career was largely centered in Stockholm.