Who painted Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait was painted by Johann Salomon Wahl in 1755.

Where can I see Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Self-Portrait

Johann Salomon Wahl , 1755

Self-Portrait is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Johann Salomon Wahl. It dates from 1755 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1755, this oil painting is a self‑portrait by Johann Salomon Wahl, a German artist who later served as a court painter in Denmark. Executed in the Rococo idiom, the work is part of the Statens Museum for Kunst’s collection and presents the artist in a poised, formal manner.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas shows a gentleman with light, loosely curled hair, dressed in a dark jacket trimmed with a white lace collar and accented by a brooch. His expression is composed and his gaze meets the viewer directly, conveying a sense of personal confidence and the refined self‑presentation typical of 18th‑century portraiture.

Technique & Style

Wahl employed the delicate brushwork and subtle color modulation characteristic of Rococo painting. The dark background isolates the figure, allowing the luminous whites of the collar and shirt to catch the eye. The rendering of fabric and hair demonstrates a careful attention to texture and light, enhancing the portrait’s elegant atmosphere.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the portrait entered the holdings of Denmark’s national gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. Wahl’s later appointment as a court painter in Denmark situates the work within his early career, offering insight into his development before his official royal commissions.