Artwork

Self Portrait

Self Portrait, by Hermann Dudley Murphy, oil, 1900
Self Portrait, by Hermann Dudley Murphy, oil, 1900

Self Portrait is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Hermann Dudley Murphy. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

About this work

Overview

This oil painting is a self-portrait created by Hermann Dudley Murphy in 1900. It is a representative work of the post-impressionist movement and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Murphy standing against a textured background, dressed in a dark suit with a white collar. His hands are positioned casually, with one resting on his jacket pocket and the other tucked inside.

Technique & Style

The painting employs chiaroscuro, with strong contrasts between light and dark that draw attention to the subject's face and shoulders. The brushstrokes are smooth, and the background, resembling a stone wall with moss or lichen, adds texture to the scene without detracting from the figure.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Hermann Dudley Murphy

Artist

Hermann Dudley Murphy

Hermann Dudley Murphy (25 August 1867, Marlborough, Massachusetts - 1945, Lexington, Massachusetts) was an American painter, known mostly for still-lifes and landscapes. He also worked as an illustrator, art teacher and frame designer.