Artwork

Self-portrait on Linen

Self-portrait on Linen, by Francisco de Goya, oil, 1796
Self-portrait on Linen, by Francisco de Goya, oil, 1796

Self-portrait on Linen is an oil painting by the Spanish Baroque Tenebrist artist Francisco de Goya. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado. Created in 1796, this oil on linen self‑portrait shows the artist at work, brush in hand, set against a muted green‑gray backdrop.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Executed in oil on linen, the small, intimate format emphasizes the immediacy of the artist’s presence and his engagement with the viewer.

The work is a self-portrait by Francisco Goya, depicting the artist himself in a frontal, direct gaze toward the viewer. Executed in oil on linen, the small, intimate format emphasizes the immediacy of the artist’s presence and his engagement with the viewer. The plain background and restrained setting focus attention on Goya’s facial expression and the act of self-representation, underscoring the portrait’s function as both a personal record and a statement of identity.

Technique & Style

Francisco Goya's Self-portrait on Linen, created in 1790, is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The work measures 18.2 cm in height and 12.2 cm in width, presenting a compact portrait format. As a self-portrait, the composition focuses entirely on the artist, depicting him in the act of painting.

The piece is classified within the portrait genre and is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

History & Provenance

Self-portrait on Linen is an oil painting created by Francisco Goya in 1790. The work was produced in Madrid and originally entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display. It was painted on canvas, measuring 18.2 cm in height and 12.2 cm in width, and portrays the artist himself in a self‑portrait format.

The painting’s provenance is documented from its acquisition by the museum shortly after its creation, establishing a clear ownership chain that begins with the artist and leads to its current custodianship.

Francisco Goya's Self-portrait on Linen is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. The work is cataloged as a portrait and self-portrait executed in oil paint on canvas. While the entity data lists an inception date of 1790, the specific accession or inventory number is not provided in the available sources. The provided documentation does not record any exhibition history for this painting.

Overview

Created in 1796, this oil on linen self‑portrait shows the artist at work, brush in hand, set against a muted green‑gray backdrop. The figure is rendered with a serious expression, dark curly hair, and a high‑collared white shirt beneath a black jacket, accented by a red‑and‑blue striped scarf. The painting resides in the Museo del Prado, Madrid.

Context

Created shortly before Goya’s appointment as court painter, the piece reflects his transition from the late Baroque tradition toward a more personal, modern sensibility. It bridges the techniques of the Old Masters with a nascent individualism that would later characterize his more radical works.

The Painter Jan Baptist Berré
The Painter Jan Baptist Berré, Balthasar Paul Ommeganck

Artist & collection

Portrait of Francisco de Goya

Artist

Francisco de Goya

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.

Museo del Prado

Museum

Museo del Prado

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museo del Prado open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Self-portrait on Linen?

Self-portrait on Linen was painted by Francisco de Goya in 1790-01-01.

Where can I see Self-portrait on Linen?

Self-portrait on Linen is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Self-portrait on Linen?

Self-portrait on Linen is associated with Spanish Baroque Tenebrist.

Can I buy a print of Self-portrait on Linen?

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