Who painted Self-Portrait with his first Wife at the Clavichord?

Self-Portrait with his first Wife at the Clavichord was painted by Johann Heinrich Tischbein in 1756.

Where can I see Self-Portrait with his first Wife at the Clavichord?

Self-Portrait with his first Wife at the Clavichord is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Self-Portrait with his first Wife at the Clavichord?

Self-Portrait with his first Wife at the Clavichord is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Self-Portrait with his first Wife at the Clavichord?

Museum-quality prints of Self-Portrait with his first Wife at the Clavichord are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Self-Portrait with his first Wife at the Clavichord

Johann Heinrich Tischbein , 1756

Self-Portrait with his first Wife at the Clavichord is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Johann Heinrich Tischbein. It dates from 1756 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Self-Portrait with his first Wife at the Clavichord is a 1756 oil painting by Johann Heinrich Tischbein, a prominent 18th-century German artist. The work captures an intimate domestic scene featuring the artist and his first wife, Marie Sophie Robert.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Tischbein sketching his wife as she plays a clavichord, surrounded by a cat and a dog. The setting conveys a sense of quiet, artistic domesticity, with the artist's half-finished portrait of his wife on an easel, highlighting their shared creative moment.

Technique & Style

Executed in the Rococo style, the painting employs strong chiaroscuro, with a single lamp casting dramatic light and shadows across the scene. The detailed, softly folded light-blue dress of Marie Sophie Robert exemplifies Tischbein's attention to texture and illumination.

History & Provenance

Created in 1756, the painting is now part of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin's collection. Tischbein, known for portraits of nobility and mythological themes, here focuses on an intimate family scene, contrasting with his more common subjects.

Context

As a Rococo piece, it reflects the era's emphasis on elegance, intimacy, and the daily lives of the upper class. Tischbein's choice of subject—a personal, artistic moment—offers a glimpse into the life of an 18th-century artist and his family.