Autorretrato de Pedro Alexandrino de Carvalho

Executed in oil paint, the work employs a restrained palette of dark tones punctuated by the lighter shirt and paper. Soft modeling renders the facial features and folds of the robe, while the darkened backdrop recedes, allowing the figure and his held drawing to dominate the composition. The brushwork is smooth, typical of late‑18th‑century Portuguese portraiture.

Since its completion, the portrait has remained within Portuguese collections, ultimately entering the holdings of the National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon. The museum acquired the piece as part of its effort to preserve works by native artists of the Enlightenment era, though specific acquisition details are not recorded in the available sources.

The portrait reflects the cultural climate of late‑18th‑century Portugal, when educated elites often commissioned self‑portraits to assert their status and intellectual credentials. The formal attire and scholarly setting align with contemporary conventions for depicting professionals, while the inclusion of a sketch underscores the period’s growing appreciation for individual artistic practice.