Artwork

Self portrait

Self portrait, by Eugène Delacroix, oil, 1860
Self portrait, by Eugène Delacroix, oil, 1860

Self portrait is an oil painting by the French Romanticist artist Eugène Delacroix. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Eugène Delacroix created a self-portrait in 1860 with oil on canvas. The work presents the artist from the waist upward, dressed in a dark coat and a light shirt, against a muted brown backdrop. His dark, curly hair, moustache, and direct gaze give the image a solemn, reflective tone.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait captures Delacroix at a mature age, his serious expression and steady eyes suggesting contemplation rather than theatrical drama. By looking straight at the viewer, the artist invites a personal connection, emphasizing his identity as a painter rather than a mythic or historical figure.

Technique & Style

Executed in the Romantic idiom, the painting prioritizes rich coloration and dynamic brushwork over strict classical precision. Influences from Rubens and the Venetian masters appear in the handling of light and flesh tones, while a subtle chiaroscuro model gives the figure a three‑dimensional presence against the subdued background.

History & Provenance

Since its completion, the self‑portrait has been part of the Uffizi Gallery’s collection in Florence. The museum acquired the piece as part of its broader effort to represent 19th‑century French painting, situating Delacroix alongside his contemporaries within the institution’s European holdings.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Eugène Delacroix

Artist

Eugène Delacroix

Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix ( DEL-ə-krwah, -⁠KRWAH; French: ; 26 April 1798 – 13 August 1863) was a French Romantic artist who was regarded as the leader of the French Romantic school.

Uffizi Gallery

Museum

Uffizi Gallery

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Uffizi Gallery open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.