Artwork
Self-portrait of Jan Damel (1780? –1840), copy
Self-portrait of Jan Damel (1780? –1840), copy is an oil painting by Jan Damel. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.
About this work
This portrait depicts a young man with short, curly brown hair, wearing a dark green jacket over a white shirt with a high collar and a red sash.
This portrait depicts a young man with short, curly brown hair, wearing a dark green jacket over a white shirt with a high collar and a red sash. His right hand is raised to his chest, and he is looking directly at the viewer with a neutral expression. The background is a plain grey color.
The subject's attire and hairstyle suggest that the painting may have been created in the early 19th century. The artist's use of oil paint and the subject's formal pose are also characteristic of portraiture from this time period.
To learn more about the artist's work, look up Jan Damel.
Overview
Around 1820 Jan Damel, a Polish neoclassical painter linked to the Vilnius University art school, produced a self‑portrait in oil. The work presents the artist as a young man in a formal pose, and it now belongs to the National Museum in Warsaw.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is a youthful male with short, curly brown hair, dressed in a dark green jacket, white high‑collared shirt and a red sash. He raises his right hand to his chest and gazes straight ahead with a neutral expression, suggesting a modest self‑presentation typical of early‑19th‑century portraiture.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a restrained palette and smooth brushwork that echo neoclassical conventions. The plain grey backdrop isolates the sitter, emphasizing the crisp rendering of clothing and the subtle modelling of the face.
History & Provenance
Jan Damel, also known as Jonas Damelis or Johann Damehl, was active during the era of the Polish‑Lithuanian partitions. The portrait, created circa 1820, entered the National Museum in Warsaw’s collection, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s representation of Polish neoclassicism.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Krzysztof Damel, also known as Jonas Damelis and Johann Damehl in other languages (1780 – 30 August 1840) was a Polish neoclassicist artist in the age of Partitions, associated with the School of Art at Vilnius University (modern-day…
