Artwork
Self Portrait of Gianlorenzo Bernini
Self Portrait of Gianlorenzo Bernini is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1635, this oil portrait presents Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the celebrated Baroque sculptor, as its sole subject. Executed during the early Baroque era in Italy, the work resides today in the Uffizi Gallery. Though chiefly remembered for his three‑dimensional achievements, Bernini also engaged in painting, reflecting the period’s ideal of the versatile artist.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas shows a middle‑aged man with dark hair, a neatly trimmed mustache, and a solemn expression. He is dressed in a dark robe trimmed with a white collar, looking straight ahead with intense, dark eyes. The direct gaze and serious demeanor suggest a self‑assertive presentation, emphasizing the artist’s personal identity and professional confidence.
Technique & Style
Bernini employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, juxtaposing a luminous, illuminated face against a deep, shadowy background. This contrast enhances the three‑dimensional modeling of the features and gives the portrait a sense of volume. The limited palette and restrained brushwork focus attention on the sitter’s expression, while the dark setting isolates the figure from any surrounding context.
History & Provenance
Painted in the midst of Bernini’s prolific sculptural career, the portrait entered the collection of the Uffizi Gallery, where it remains on display. Its presence in the museum underscores Bernini’s lesser‑known activity in painting and provides a rare visual record of the artist’s own likeness from his own hand.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gian Lorenzo (or Gianlorenzo) Bernini (UK: , US: ; Italian: ; Italian Giovanni Lorenzo; 7 December 1598 – 28 November 1680) was an Italian sculptor, architect, painter and city planner.
