Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is an oil painting by George Chinnery. It dates from 1826 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts George Chinnery himself, presenting the artist as his own sitter in a conventional self-portrait format.
The painting depicts George Chinnery himself, presenting the artist as his own sitter in a conventional self-portrait format. As the main subject, Chinnery is shown as a man, rendered in oil on canvas. The work belongs to the self-portrait genre, a tradition in which painters examine and represent themselves, and the choice to cast himself as the central figure underscores the personal and introspective character of the piece.
Held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the painting functions both as a likeness of the artist and as a statement of professional identity, situating Chinnery within the lineage of artists who used the self-portrait to assert authorship and presence.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1826, this self-portrait by George Chinnery is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 21.9 cm in height and 18.4 cm in width, classifying it as a small-scale portrait. As a genre piece, it depicts the artist himself, serving as both a representation of a man and a specific study of Chinnery.
The application of oil paint on a fabric support reflects standard portrait practices of the early nineteenth century. While specific details regarding the artist's brushwork, surface condition, or distinct stylistic handling are not explicitly detailed in the available records, the material composition and physical dimensions establish the work's fundamental technical characteristics.
History & Provenance
George Chinnery's 1826 oil-on-canvas Self-Portrait is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work measures 21.9 by 18.4 centimeters and depicts the artist as a man. While the sources confirm the painting's current location, creator, date of inception, and physical dimensions, they do not provide a specific inventory or accession number for the piece.
Furthermore, the available documentation does not list any past or future exhibition history for this specific artwork, limiting the historical record to its attribution and current institutional custody.
Overview
George Chinnery, an English artist who spent a significant portion of his professional life in Asia, painted this Self-Portrait in 1826. Executed in oil paint, the work captures the artist himself, offering a direct portrayal of his appearance. This painting is now part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a key example of Chinnery's work from his mature period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
George Chinnery (Chinese: 錢納利; 5 January 1774 – 30 May 1852) was an English painter who spent most of his life in Asia, especially India and southern China.
