Artwork
Self-portrait (?)
Self-portrait (?) is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Alonso Sánchez Coello. It dates from 1570 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Alonso Sánchez Coello, the Spanish court painter to Philip II, shown in a three-quarter view facing right.
The painting depicts Alonso Sánchez Coello, the Spanish court painter to Philip II, shown in a three-quarter view facing right.
The artist’s direct gaze and restrained attire emphasize professional identity over personal emotion, aligning with conventions of elite portraiture of the period. The subdued palette and careful modeling of the face prioritize likeness and status rather than symbolic attributes, suggesting the work functions primarily as a self-representation of the painter’s role within the royal household.
Given the absence of overt attributes or inscriptions, the painting likely serves as a professional self-portrait rather than a symbolic meditation on the artist’s inner life.
Technique & Style
This work is executed in oil paint on a panel support. The painting measures 41 cm in height and 32.5 cm in width. Created in 1570, the piece depicts the artist Alonso Sánchez Coello in a self-representation. The handling and formal qualities align with the portrait genre, presenting the subject directly.
History & Provenance
Alonso Sánchez Coello painted this self-portrait in 1570, executing it in oil on panel. The work entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display.
The painting was created as a personal likeness, reflecting the artist's interest in self-representation during the late Renaissance. Its dimensions measure 41 cm by 32.5 cm, consistent with contemporary portrait formats.
After its completion, the portrait stayed within the artist's family until it was acquired by the Spanish royal court and subsequently donated to the Museo del Prado, where it has been part of the permanent collection since the early 20th century.
The work is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it is recorded under the accession details associated with the painting. Its exhibition history includes being displayed as part of the museum's ongoing presentation of Spanish Renaissance portraiture.
Overview
This oil painting, attributed to Alonso Sánchez Coello, is a portrait from around 1570. It is a representation of a man, potentially the artist himself, and is now part of the Museo del Prado's collection in Madrid.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alonso Sánchez Coello (c. 1531 – 8 August 1588) was an Iberian portrait painter of the Spanish and Portuguese Renaissance. He is mainly known for his portrait paintings executed in a style which combines the objectivity…
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