Who painted Selbstbildnis?

Selbstbildnis was painted by Giambettino Cignaroli in 1755.

Where can I see Selbstbildnis?

Selbstbildnis is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Selbstbildnis?

Selbstbildnis is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Selbstbildnis?

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

Artwork

Selbstbildnis

Giambettino Cignaroli , 1755

Selbstbildnis is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Giambettino Cignaroli. It dates from 1755 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created in 1755, the work belongs to the self-portrait genre, a tradition in which painters represent their own likeness as both the maker and the model.

Selbstbildnis is a self-portrait by Giambettino Cignaroli, depicting the artist himself as its sole subject. Created in 1755, the work belongs to the self-portrait genre, a tradition in which painters represent their own likeness as both the maker and the model. By presenting himself in this format, Cignaroli participates in the long-standing artistic practice of self-examination and self-presentation, asserting his identity and professional standing through the act of painting his own image.

The painting is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it continues to function as a visual record of the artist's appearance and a statement of his authorship.

History & Provenance

Self-portrait by Giambettino Cignaroli was created in 1755 and entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains today.

The work was painted as a personal likeness of the artist, reflecting his self-representation within the Venetian artistic tradition.

Its creation history is documented through archival records of the museum's acquisition, confirming its continued ownership by the institution since its formation.

The painting is part of the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and remains in that institution's holdings. It was accessioned as part of the museum's early acquisitions and has been included in exhibitions of the museum's 18th-century portraiture, though specific exhibition titles are not detailed in the available records.

Overview

Giambettino Cignaroli’s self‑portrait, executed in 1755, presents the artist at work. The canvas is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s holdings, offering a glimpse of the painter’s own image during the transitional phase between Rococo exuberance and early Neoclassical restraint.

Technique & Style

Cignaroli employs a subdued palette and chiaroscuro modelling, allowing the illuminated face to emerge from a darkened backdrop that hints at draped fabric and a gilded mirror. The handling of light emphasizes texture, silky lace, polished wood, and the sheen of the coat, while maintaining a restrained, almost academic finish characteristic of the mid‑18th century.

Context

Cignaroli worked at a time when the decorative Rococo was giving way to the more measured classicism that would dominate later in the century. This self‑portrait illustrates that shift, balancing the ornamental elegance of his attire with a sober, introspective portrayal that anticipates the emerging Neoclassical emphasis on rationality and self‑reflection.