Self-Portrait
1838
unspecified
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
1838
unspecified
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
This is a black-and-white portrait of a person with short, wavy hair and a serious expression. They’re wearing a high-collared shirt with a cravat tied neatly at the neck. The background is plain and dark, keeping all focus on the face. The brushstrokes are rough, especially around the hair and collar, giving it a slightly uneven look. This style was common in early portraiture. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how artists used light and shadow like this.