Artwork

Self-Portrait in a Landscape

Self-Portrait in a Landscape, by Joost Cornelisz Droochsloot, oil, 1627
Self-Portrait in a Landscape, by Joost Cornelisz Droochsloot, oil, 1627

Self-Portrait in a Landscape is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Joost Cornelisz Droochsloot. It dates from 1627 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1627, this oil on canvas presents a self‑portrait by Dutch artist Joost Cornelisz Droochsloot. The work belongs to the Dutch Golden Age and is currently part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection. It combines a personal likeness with an outdoor setting, offering a glimpse into the painter’s own representation within a landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is seated on the ground, turned away from the viewer yet glancing back over his shoulder. He wears a bright yellow jacket with puffed sleeves, a red hat adorned with a feather, and a sword at his side, while holding a dark‑toned glass in his right hand. The surrounding water, trees and cloud‑filled sky suggest a leisurely, perhaps contemplative, moment.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting displays the fine brushwork typical of early‑17th‑century Dutch genre scenes. Droochsloot balances detailed rendering of costume and accessories with a looser treatment of the natural background, allowing the figure to stand out against the muted tones of water and foliage. The composition reflects the period’s interest in realism and atmospheric effects.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the portrait entered private collections before being acquired by the State Hermitage Museum, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Droochsloot, known primarily for village and landscape subjects, underscores the artist’s versatility and the practice of self‑representation among Dutch painters of the era.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Joost Cornelisz Droochsloot

Artist

Joost Cornelisz Droochsloot

Joost Cornelisz Droochsloot or Droogsloot (1586 – May 14, 1666), was a Dutch painter of village scenes, landscapes, genre pictures, moral allegories and biblical stories.

Hermitage Museum

Museum

Hermitage Museum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Hermitage Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.