Artwork
Meditation, Self Portrait

Meditation, Self Portrait is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Charles Altamont Doyle. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
It was painted between 1885 and 1893 while he lived at the Royal Montrose Lunatic Asylum in Scotland.
This watercolor shows a self-portrait by Charles Altamont Doyle. It was painted between 1885 and 1893 while he lived at the Royal Montrose Lunatic Asylum in Scotland. The work comes from one of his sketchbooks kept during that time.
His son, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, later organized a 1924 London show with this piece. The watercolor was framed just for that exhibition. You can still see Doyle’s personal touch in the sketchbook pages.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see this work in person.
Overview
Meditation, Self Portrait is a watercolour work by Charles Altamont Doyle, created between 1885 and 1893 during his residency at the Royal Montrose Lunatic Asylum in Scotland.
Subject & Meaning
The piece is a self-portrait, offering a personal glimpse into the artist's introspective state, potentially reflective of his experiences or emotions during his asylum stay.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the work retains the intimate, spontaneous quality characteristic of sketchbook art, with visible page remnants preserving the artist's personal touch.
History & Provenance
Originally from one of Doyle's sketchbooks, the watercolour was later framed for a 1924 London exhibition organised by his son, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Context
The artwork is now part of the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it can be viewed in person.
Artist & collection
Artist
English artist Charles Altamont Doyle painted small, moody watercolors in the late 1800s.











