Who painted Self-portrait?

Self-portrait was painted by Giuseppe Bonito in 1700.

Where can I see Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is held by Uffizi Gallery.

What movement is Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Self-portrait

Giuseppe Bonito , 1700

Self-portrait is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Giuseppe Bonito. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1700, this oil self‑portrait presents the Neapolitan painter Giuseppe Bonito at an advanced age. The work belongs to the Uffizi Gallery’s collection and offers a rare glimpse of the artist outside his usual genre scenes, focusing instead on his own likeness and professional identity.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter appears as an older man with greying hair, dressed in a brown jacket over a white shirt, and holds a palette and brush in his right hand. His gaze meets the viewer directly, his expression neutral, suggesting a contemplative stance that emphasizes the artist’s role as a craftsman rather than a dramatized persona.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a restrained palette of earth tones. The dark brown background isolates the figure, allowing subtle modeling of light on the face and clothing to convey volume. The brushwork is smooth and precise, reflecting the Rococo sensibility of elegance tempered by Bonito’s focus on realistic detail.

History & Provenance

The portrait entered the Uffizi’s holdings as part of its broader acquisition of 18th‑century Italian works, though the exact path of ownership prior to museum accession remains undocumented. Its presence in the collection highlights the institution’s commitment to representing artists who contributed to Naples’ vibrant artistic scene during the Rococo period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Giuseppe Bonito

Giuseppe Bonito (11 January 1707 – 9 May 1789) was a Neapolitan painter of the Rococo period. Giuseppe Bonito is known for genre depictions on canvas. Many of Gaspare Traversi's paintings had previously been attributed to Bonito.