Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Mary McLellan Hamilton. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1925, this ivory‑on‑canvas portrait presents the artist herself, Mary McLellan Hamilton, in a composed pose. The work is part of the Detroit Institute of Arts collection, where it is displayed among early twentieth‑century American paintings.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is a woman with short, reddish hair styled with bangs, dressed in a blue garment accented by a pearl necklace. Her head is turned slightly to the left while her gaze meets the viewer directly, conveying a calm, neutral demeanor that invites contemplation of identity and self‑presentation.
Technique & Style
Rendered in a realistic manner, the painting employs chiaroscuro to model the figure against a dark background, enhancing the three‑dimensional effect of the face and clothing. Fine brushwork captures the texture of the hair and fabric, while the subdued palette emphasizes the contrast between light and shadow.
History & Provenance
Mary McLellan Hamilton completed the self‑portrait in the mid‑1920s, a period when she was establishing her reputation as a portraitist. The piece entered the Detroit Institute of Arts through acquisition in the mid‑20th century and has remained in the museum’s permanent collection, serving as a reference for her oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Woman with green shawl
Femeie în verde
Soția artistului
Profil de femeie
The blue ribbon
Neiti Barbara Lagerborgin muotokuva
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Portret de femeie
Portret de femeie cu pălărie (O englezoaică)
Jessica
Jeune fille au livre