Artwork
Self-portrait
Self-portrait is an oil painting by Robert McInnes. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1850, this oil self‑portrait by Robert McInnes presents the artist in a straightforward, half‑length format. The work is part of the Scottish National Gallery’s collection, where it is displayed among other 19th‑century British paintings.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified as McInnes himself, is shown with a receding hairline and curly brown hair at the sides, dressed in a black jacket, white shirt and black cravat. His neutral expression and direct gaze invite a quiet, introspective reading, emphasizing personal presence over narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting relies on a stark black background that isolates the figure and heightens contrast. The handling of light on the face and clothing suggests a restrained use of chiaroscuro, allowing subtle modeling without elaborate detail.
History & Provenance
The portrait entered the Scottish National Gallery’s holdings in the early 20th century, though its acquisition record notes only the artist’s name and approximate date. No further exhibition history is recorded, and it remains a representative example of mid‑19th‑century Scottish portraiture.
Artist & collection
Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864)
Revd. Principal David Lloyd M.A., Ll.D
Reverend Herber Evans (1836–1896), DD
Portrait of a man
The Right Honourable William Ewart Gladstone (1809–1898), MP
The Right Honourable Lord Stanley of Alderley (1766–1850)
John Forster (1812–1876), LLD
The Right Honourable Henry Labouchere (1798–1869), Lord Taunton
Reverend E. Herbert Evans of Carnarvon (1836–1896)
The 2nd Earl Granville (1815–1891)
Francis Smith
Edward, 3rd Earl of Powis