Who painted Self-portrait?

Self-portrait was painted by Leopold Loeffler in 1872.

Where can I see Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is held by National Museum in Warsaw.

Artwork

Self-portrait

Self-portrait is an oil painting by Leopold Loeffler. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

About this work

Overview

Around 1872, Polish realist Leopold Loeffler painted a self-portrait in oil that now resides in Warsaw’s National Museum. The work presents the artist in a dark, muted setting, his face illuminated against a somber backdrop. The composition is straightforward, focusing on Loeffler’s features and attire, and serves as a personal visual record from the late Romantic era.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait shows a middle‑aged man with a moustache, dressed in a dark jacket, white shirt and black bow tie. His gaze meets the viewer directly, conveying a serious, contemplative demeanor. By positioning himself centrally and emphasizing his expression, Loeffler offers a study of the artist’s identity and the sober temperament often associated with his historical subjects.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting reveals visible brushwork that adds texture to the figure’s clothing and skin. Loeffler employs strong contrasts of light and shadow, a chiaroscuro approach that models the face and creates a sense of three‑dimensionality. The limited palette and restrained background enhance the focus on the sitter’s features.

History & Provenance

Leopold Loeffler, known for detailed historical scenes of Polish uprisings, produced this self‑portrait during a period of foreign partition in Poland. After its creation, the work entered the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, where it remains on display as part of the institution’s holdings of 19th‑century Polish art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Leopold Loeffler

Leopold Loeffler, also spelled Löffler, (October 27, 1827 – February 6, 1898), was a Polish realist painter of the late Romantic period popular in the second half of the 19th century under the foreign partitions of Poland.