Artwork

Self-Portrait of the Artist's Father in a Forest

Self-Portrait of the Artist's Father in a Forest, by Martin Elias Ridinger, ink, 1767
Self-Portrait of the Artist's Father in a Forest, by Martin Elias Ridinger, ink, 1767

Self-Portrait of the Artist's Father in a Forest is an ink print by the Baroque artist Martin Elias Ridinger. It dates from 1767 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

To learn more about the Baroque movement, which influenced Ridinger's work, explore the Baroque style and its characteristics.

The image presents a serene forest scene, with a man seated on a chair in the foreground. He is dressed in a long coat and holds a bow and arrow, while a canvas on an easel stands beside him. The forest surroundings are lush and vibrant, with trees and foliage filling the background.

A closer look reveals the man's attire, which appears to be from the 18th century. His coat is long and ornate, and he wears a hat and boots. The canvas on the easel is blank, suggesting that the man may be an artist.

The image is a self-portrait of the artist's father in a forest, created by Martin Elias Ridinger after 1767. To learn more about the Baroque movement, which influenced Ridinger's work, explore the Baroque style and its characteristics.

Overview

Self-Portrait of the Artist's Father in a Forest is an etching and engraving on laid paper by Martin Elias Ridinger, dated after 1767. The work is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene forest scene with a seated figure, identified as the artist's father, dressed in 18th-century attire, including a long coat, hat, and boots. He holds a bow and arrow, with a blank canvas on an easel beside him, implying his potential role as an artist.

Technique & Style

The work showcases Ridinger's skill in etching and engraving, capturing detailed textures of the forest's lush foliage and the subject's attire. The composition balances foreground clarity with the depth of the vibrant natural surroundings.

History & Provenance

Created after 1767 by Martin Elias Ridinger, the piece is now held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Context

Ridinger's work was influenced by the Baroque movement, evident in the dramatic yet serene portrayal of nature and the detailed rendering of the subject.

Legacy

As a specific legacy of this piece is not broadly documented in the provided facts, its significance largely lies within Ridinger's broader oeuvre and the Baroque influence on subsequent artistic movements.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.