Who painted Självporträtt som jägare?

Självporträtt som jägare was painted by Edvard Perséus in 1875.

Where can I see Självporträtt som jägare?

Självporträtt som jägare is held by Nationalmuseum.

Artwork

Självporträtt som jägare

Självporträtt som jägare is an oil painting by Edvard Perséus. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1875, this oil-on-canvas work presents the Swedish artist Edvard Perséus portraying himself as a hunter. The figure stands against a muted, dark brown backdrop, dressed in a white shirt, brown vest, and a hat adorned with a feather. His dark hair, beard, and serious gaze direct the viewer’s attention to the right side of the composition.

Subject & Meaning

By assuming the role of a hunter, Perséus merges personal identity with a broader cultural motif, suggesting a self‑characterization that aligns with notions of masculinity, pursuit, and perhaps the artist’s own professional ambitions. The solemn expression and hunting attire invite contemplation of the painter’s self‑perception within the social and artistic contexts of 19th‑century Sweden.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting employs a restrained palette of browns, whites, and muted tones, allowing the figure to emerge with subtle modeling. Brushwork is smooth, particularly in the rendering of fabric and facial features, while the background remains loosely defined, emphasizing depth through tonal contrast rather than detailed scenery.

History & Provenance

The portrait entered the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, where it remains part of the permanent collection. Perséus, known for historical and genre scenes, produced this self‑portrait during his tenure as a court superintendent, reflecting both his professional status and personal artistic interests at that stage of his career.

Artist & collection

Artist

Edvard Perséus

Edvard Perséus, originally Persson (23 December 1841, in Lund – 7 October 1890, in Stockholm) was a Swedish painter and hovintendent (a form of superintendent) at the Royal Court of Sweden. He specialized in historical and genre scenes.