Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Wilhelm Bendz. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1825, this oil self‑portrait presents the Danish artist Wilhelm Bendz at work in a modest interior. The composition centers the painter seated before an easel, his hat clasped in hand, while a loose white shirt with red edging catches the limited light. The work belongs to the collection of Denmark’s National Gallery of Art, Statens Museum for Kunst.
Subject & Meaning
Bendz portrays himself as a diligent creator, surrounded by the tools of his trade—a wooden easel and scattered papers that hint at ongoing projects. The subdued lighting and the thoughtful gaze suggest a reflective moment, emphasizing the artist’s identity not merely as a figure but as a professional engaged in the act of painting.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the portrait employs a restrained palette and soft modelling of facial features, with chiaroscuro effects that accentuate the contrast between the illuminated shirt and the darker surroundings. The handling reflects the Biedermeier sensibility for intimate, domestic scenes, while the precise brushwork echoes the academic training Bendz received under Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg.
History & Provenance
Wilhelm Bendz, a pupil of Eckersberg and a notable figure among early‑19th‑century Danish genre painters, produced this work during a period when artists were establishing a national visual language. After remaining in private hands, the painting entered the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s representation of the Biedermeier generation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Wilhelm Ferdinand Bendz (20 March 1804 – 14 November 1832) was a Danish painter mainly known for genre works and portraits which often portray his artist colleagues and their daily lives.
Familien Waagepetersen
A Young Artist (Ditlev Blunck) Examining a Sketch in a Mirror
Dame med strikketøj. En af kunstnerens søstre (?)
The Raffenberg Family
A Sculptor in his Studio Working from the Life
Marie Raffenberg, the Artist's Betrothed
Portrait of the German Painter Wilhelm von Kaulbach
Young Pan in a Grotto. Model
