Artwork
Selbstbildnis
Selbstbildnis is an oil painting by Johann Kölla. It dates from 1769 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1769, this oil painting by Johann Kölla presents a solitary figure rendered in a restrained palette. The work measures a modest size and is part of the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it is displayed among other 18th‑century European paintings.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is a man with dark hair, dressed in a green jacket over a white shirt. His gaze turns toward the right edge of the canvas, and his expression remains neutral, inviting viewers to consider the quiet self‑presentation typical of portraiture of the period.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting emphasizes realistic detail, particularly in the texture of the clothing and the subtle modeling of the face. A dark brown background provides a muted contrast, while careful handling of light creates a modest chiaroscuro effect without dramatic theatricality.
History & Provenance
The work entered the Kunsthaus Zürich’s holdings in the early 20th century, having previously been listed in private inventories of Swiss collectors. Its attribution to Kölla, a lesser‑known German painter active in the mid‑1700s, rests on stylistic comparison with documented works from the same period.
Artist & collection
