Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is an oil painting by the Realist artist Johan Georg Schwartze. It dates from 1869 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Johan Georg Schwartze’s self‑portrait, executed in oil on canvas in 1869, presents the artist at mid‑life. The work resides in the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the realist approach of the period, emphasizing truthful representation over idealisation.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas features Schwartze himself, rendered with a solemn expression. He is dressed in a dark coat with a crisp white collar, his greying hair and moustache signalling age and experience. The plain, dark backdrop isolates the figure, focusing attention on his visage and suggesting a contemplation of personal identity.
Technique & Style
Soft, blended brushwork defines the transitions between light and shadow across the face and neck, creating a subtle three‑dimensional effect. The handling of illumination reflects chiaroscuro principles, whereby the illuminated areas contrast with the surrounding darkness, enhancing the realism of skin tones and facial features.
History & Provenance
Born in Amsterdam in 1814, Schwartze spent part of his youth in Philadelphia before returning to Europe for formal training at the Düsseldorf Academy, where he absorbed the Düsseldorf school’s methods. After completing the portrait, it entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains accessible to the public.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Georg Schwartze (20 October 1814 – 28 August 1874) was a painter from the Northern Netherlands who grew up in Philadelphia and was trained in Düsseldorf and the Düsseldorf school.
Portrait of Thérèse Schwartze (1851-1918), the artist's daughter at age 16
Portrait of Thérèse Schwartze, the Artist's Daughter, at 16 years of age
Studiekop naar links
Portrait of Johann Joseph Hermann (1782-1857), father-in law of the artist, with Ida Schwartze, the artist's oldest daughter