Who painted Self-portrait (1918)?

Self-portrait (1918) was painted by Léon Bonnat in 1918.

Where can I see Self-portrait (1918)?

Self-portrait (1918) is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Self-portrait (1918)?

Self-portrait (1918) is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Self-portrait (1918)?

Museum-quality prints of Self-portrait (1918) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Self-portrait (1918)

Léon Bonnat , 1918

Self-portrait (1918) is an oil painting by the Realist artist Léon Bonnat. It dates from 1918 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

This painting shows a bald man with a white beard and mustache, wearing a dark suit and white collar.

This painting shows a bald man with a white beard and mustache, wearing a dark suit and white collar. His face is serious, with deep shadows under his cheekbones and around his eyes. The background is a plain, warm brown color that makes his features stand out.

The brushstrokes are loose, especially on his suit and beard, giving it a slightly rough texture. The artist signed the painting in the top right corner with the year 1918.

Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how this lighting technique works.

Overview

Created in 1918, this oil on canvas is a self‑portrait by French artist Léon Bonnat. Executed in a realist manner, the work presents the painter as an older, bald figure with a white beard and mustache, dressed in a dark suit with a crisp white collar. The composition is set against a uniform, warm brown backdrop that isolates the sitter.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait captures Bonnat in a sober, introspective pose, his gaze directed outward with a seriousness underscored by deep shadows beneath the cheekbones and around the eyes. The stark contrast between the illuminated face and the subdued background suggests a contemplation of the artist’s own identity and professional stature at the close of his career.

Technique & Style

Employing a loose handling of paint, Bonnat renders the texture of the suit and beard with visible, slightly rough brushwork, while maintaining a controlled realism in the facial features. The chiaroscuro effect—strong light on the face against darker surroundings—enhances the three‑dimensionality of the figure, a hallmark of his academic training.

History & Provenance

Léon Bonnat, a distinguished professor at the École des Beaux‑Arts and a Grand Officer of the Légion d’honneur, also amassed a notable art collection. This self‑portrait, signed in the upper right with the date 1918, entered the Museo del Prado’s holdings, where it remains part of the museum’s permanent collection.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Léon Bonnat

Léon Joseph Florentin Bonnat (French pronunciation: ; 20 June 1833 – 8 September 1922) was a French painter, Grand Officer of the Légion d'honneur, art collector and professor at the Ecole des Beaux Arts.