Artwork
Portrait of the Artist
Portrait of the Artist is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist George Peter Alexander Healy. It dates from 1851 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. George P.
- Accession no.
- 91.27.2
- Credit line
- Gift of Samuel P. Avery, 1891
About this work
Technique & Style
The formal presentation focuses on the likeness of the creator, adhering to established conventions of the portrait genre through its medium and scale.
George P. A. Healy's Portrait of the Artist, executed in 1851, is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 62.2 centimetres in height and 52.1 centimetres in width. Classified within the genre of portraiture, the piece depicts the artist himself, presenting a male subject.
Created during the mid-nineteenth century, the painting uses traditional oil techniques on a canvas support. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is categorised under The American Wing. The formal presentation focuses on the likeness of the creator, adhering to established conventions of the portrait genre through its medium and scale.
History & Provenance
The painting titled "Portrait of the Artist" was created by George Peter Alexander Healy in 1851 as an oil-on-canvas self-portrait. It measures 62.2 cm by 52.1 cm and falls within the portrait genre. Healy executed the work while active in the United States, and the finished canvas entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is now displayed in The American Wing. No earlier owners or sales are documented in the available sources.
Overview
George P. A. Healy's Portrait of the Artist, painted in 1851, is a self-representation by the prominent American portraitist. Executed in oil on canvas, this work captures Healy at the age of 37, presenting a direct and introspective image of the painter. It reflects his established skill and the personal dimension he brought to his extensive body of work.
Subject & Meaning
In this self-portrait, Healy depicts himself with a direct gaze, engaging the viewer. His figure, clad in a dark coat with one hand subtly placed in his vest, emerges from shadow. This intimate portrayal offers a glimpse into the artist's own persona, distinguishing it from the numerous commissioned portraits he created throughout his career.
Context
Healy was a highly sought-after American portrait painter, renowned for his prolific output. His career spanned continents, with studies in Europe and active studios in both Paris and Chicago. This self-portrait, created midway through his career, reflects the sophisticated approach he developed through international exposure and his dedication to the genre.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Peter Alexander Healy (July 15, 1813 – June 24, 1894) was an American portrait painter.
- Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait
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