Who painted Self-portrait?

Self-portrait was painted by Maria Antonia Walpurgis of Bavaria in 1772.

Where can I see Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is held by Uffizi Gallery.

What movement is Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Self-portrait

Maria Antonia Walpurgis of Bavaria , 1772

Self-portrait is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Maria Antonia Walpurgis of Bavaria. It dates from 1772 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1772, this oil painting is a self-portrait by Maria Antonia Walpurgis of Bavaria. The work is part of the Uffizi Gallery’s collection and presents the artist herself as the subject, offering a rare glimpse of a noblewoman who also practiced painting.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait shows the duchess in a blue dress trimmed with lace, a modest brooch at her left shoulder, and a small crown-like headpiece. By holding a palette and brushes, she signals her identity as a painter, merging her aristocratic status with artistic activity.

Technique & Style

Rendered with strong chiaroscuro, the dark background contrasts with the illuminated face and hands, giving the figure a three‑dimensional presence. The handling of light emphasizes the texture of the fabric and the delicate details of the hair’s updo.

History & Provenance

Since its completion in the late eighteenth century, the painting has remained in the possession of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, where it is displayed among other works by female artists of the period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Maria Antonia Walpurgis of Bavaria

Maria Antonia Walpurgis didn’t just sing opera—she painted it, too. A princess who ruled Saxony, she composed and performed while her husband handled politics, a rare woman living two lives at once. She left behind…