Who painted Presumed Self-Portrait?

Presumed Self-Portrait was painted by Ludvig August Smith in 1870.

Where can I see Presumed Self-Portrait?

Presumed Self-Portrait is held by Nationalmuseum.

Artwork

Presumed Self-Portrait

Presumed Self-Portrait is an oil painting by Ludvig August Smith. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum. Created circa 1870, this oil painting presents a young man with dark hair, dressed in a black jacket, white shirt and black tie.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1870, this oil painting presents a young man with dark hair, dressed in a black jacket, white shirt and black tie. The figure is set against a deep, dark background that isolates him, while his neutral expression and direct gaze engage the viewer. The work exemplifies a realistic approach, emphasizing precise rendering of facial features and attire.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is the artist himself, Ludvig August Smith, a Copenhagen‑born painter active in the mid‑nineteenth century. By portraying himself in formal clothing and a composed pose, Smith aligns with contemporary conventions of self‑portraiture that convey professional identity and personal steadiness, rather than overt emotional expression.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a restrained palette of dark tones contrasted with the crisp white of the shirt. Fine brushwork captures the texture of the fabric and the subtle modeling of the face, while the dark backdrop eliminates distractions, focusing attention on the sitter’s features. The overall effect is a sober realism typical of Danish academic training.

History & Provenance

Ludvig August Smith studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts under C.W. Eckersberg and began exhibiting in the late 1830s. After a career that included genre scenes such as *A Copenhagen Family* (1861), this self‑portrait entered the collection of Sweden’s Nationalmuseum, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of 19th‑century Scandinavian art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Ludvig August Smith

Ludvig August Smith (22 November 1820 – 12 November 1906) was a Danish painter, specialising in genre painting but also producing portraits and history paintings.