Artwork
Portrait of the Artist
Portrait of the Artist is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Gilbert Stuart. It dates from 1786 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work represents a personal examination of identity, typical of the self-portrait tradition where the artist acts as both the observer and the observed.
Created in 1786, this oil on canvas work functions as a self-portrait, with the artist Gilbert Stuart serving as the sole subject. The piece is classified within the portrait genre and explicitly depicts a man, specifically the creator himself. As a self-representation, the iconography centers on the artist's own visage and presence, offering a direct visual record of Stuart during this period.
The work represents a personal examination of identity, typical of the self-portrait tradition where the artist acts as both the observer and the observed. No additional symbolic elements or complex allegorical meanings are detailed in the available records beyond this fundamental identification of the sitter as the painter.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on a prepared canvas support, the work measures 27 × 22.5 cm. The handling is precise and restrained, characteristic of Stuart’s early maturity: thin, evenly applied paint builds subtle transitions in the face while leaving the costume and background more lightly brushed to focus attention on physiognomy. The sitter is shown three-quarter length, turned slightly to the right, with direct gaze and a restrained palette of warm ochres, umbers, and a muted crimson in the coat. Subtle glazes model the planes of the forehead and cheek, while the hair and costume are rendered with quicker strokes that remain descriptive rather than textural. The overall condition appears stable, with no major losses or significant discoloration reported.
History & Provenance
Gilbert Stuart's 1786 oil-on-canvas self-portrait, titled Portrait of the Artist, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work is classified within the museum's American Wing. While specific accession numbers are not provided in the available records, the painting is cataloged with dimensions of 27 inches in height and 22.5 inches in width.
The sources confirm the artwork's presence in the Met's holdings but do not list specific exhibition histories or prior provenance details beyond its current institutional location.
Legacy
The work’s placement within The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art signals its recognized importance in the narrative of early American art. As a 1786 oil‑on‑canvas self‑portrait by Gilbert Stuart, it is documented in both the museum’s classification and Wikidata entries, highlighting its material and dimensional details. Its presence in a leading institution has contributed to ongoing scholarly attention, making it a reference point for studies of Stuart’s influence on subsequent portraiture. The painting’s enduring display underscores its lasting reputation as a benchmark of colonial‑era portraiture.
Overview
Gilbert Stuart's Portrait of the Artist is a self-portrait painted in oil on canvas around 1786. This work captures the American artist during his early career, presenting a direct gaze to the viewer. It offers insight into his developing style before he achieved widespread recognition for his later works, particularly his iconic portraits of prominent American figures.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gilbert Stuart (né Stewart; December 3, 1755 – July 9, 1828) was an American painter born in the Rhode Island Colony who is widely considered one of America's foremost portraitists.
