Who painted Self-portrait?

Self-portrait was painted by Birgitte Levison in 1858.

Where can I see Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Self-portrait?

Museum-quality prints of Self-portrait are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Self-portrait

Birgitte Levison , 1858

Self-portrait is an oil painting by the Realist artist Birgitte Levison. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work is an oil painting executed in 1858 that presents a self‑portrait of the Danish artist Birgitle Levison.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The subject is identified directly as Birgitte Levison, and the work is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

The painting is a self-portrait of the artist Birgitte Levison, depicting the painter herself as its sole subject. As a self-portrait, the work represents the artist's self-presentation, a conventional genre in which the maker turns the act of portraiture inward to render her own likeness rather than that of a patron or sitter.

The subject is identified directly as Birgitte Levison, and the work is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Executed in oil paint on canvas and dated 1858, the large-scale composition (365 × 300 cm) emphasizes the figure of the artist, framing her self-representation as the central focus of the canvas.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas in 1858, the self-portrait measures 365 cm in height and 300 cm in width. The handling is consistent with mid-nineteenth-century academic portraiture, employing smooth, blended transitions to model the face and soften contours. The palette is subdued, relying on earthy tones and restrained highlights to convey three-dimensionality and a calm, reflective presence. Stylistically, the work aligns with contemporary Danish portrait conventions, emphasizing clarity and dignity over dramatic effect.

The composition centers on the artist’s head and shoulders, with a neutral background that directs attention to the face. The brushwork remains largely invisible, supporting a polished, finished appearance typical of the period.

History & Provenance

Birgitte Levison's 1858 oil painting, Self-portrait, is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work, which depicts the artist on a canvas measuring 365 cm in height and 300 cm in width, remains part of this institution's permanent holdings. No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available records, nor is there documentation of a public exhibition history for this piece within the supplied sources.

Overview

The work is an oil painting executed in 1858 that presents a self‑portrait of the Danish artist Birgitle Levison. Rendered on canvas, the composition isolates the sitter, concentrating on her face and upper torso without any decorative setting. The painting is part of the collection of Denmark’s National Gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst.