Artwork
Selbstbildnis mit dem Hut in der Hand
Selbstbildnis mit dem Hut in der Hand is an oil painting by the Naturalist artist Hans von Marées. It dates from 1873 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Painted in 1873, Selbstbildnis mit dem Hut in der Hand is an oil portrait by the German artist Hans von Marées. It depicts the artist himself in a composed, introspective pose, holding a hat in his left hand while seated. The work reflects his shift from portraiture toward more contemplative, nature-infused subjects. It resides in the Kunsthaus Zürich collection, a key repository of his oeuvre.
Subject & Meaning
The hat, held rather than worn, implies pause or departure, perhaps signaling a moment of reflection between his German roots and his later life in Italy.
The self-portrait presents Marées not as a flamboyant figure but as a quiet, deliberate observer. His attire, a dark shirt with a crisp white collar, suggests restraint and dignity. The hat, held rather than worn, implies pause or departure, perhaps signaling a moment of reflection between his German roots and his later life in Italy. The absence of theatricality conveys an intimate, unadorned self-assessment.
Technique & Style
Marées employed a restrained palette and careful brushwork to achieve subtle tonal transitions. The background, rendered with soft atmospheric perspective, merges the figure with a tranquil landscape of trees and sky. His handling of light and shadow enhances the three-dimensionality of the form without overt modeling, aligning with naturalist principles that favored observed reality over idealization.
History & Provenance
Created during Marées’s transitional period, the painting predates his permanent move to Italy, where he would spend his final years. It was likely painted in Germany before his relocation. The work entered the Kunsthaus Zürich collection in the early 20th century, where it remains part of a focused group of his paintings, preserving its connection to his evolving artistic identity.
Context
In the 1870s, German art was navigating between academic traditions and emerging naturalism. Marées, influenced by both Renaissance clarity and contemporary realism, distanced himself from romantic excess. This portrait reflects a broader European trend toward psychological depth and environmental harmony, aligning with contemporaries who sought authenticity over spectacle.
Legacy
Though less widely known than some of his peers, Marées’s self-portrait exemplifies a quiet, introspective strand of 19th-century German painting. Its emphasis on stillness, natural setting, and unembellished presence influenced later artists interested in psychological realism. The work endures as a testament to his commitment to personal and artistic sincerity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hans von Marées (24 December 1837 – 5 June 1887) was a German painter. Initially specialising in portraiture he later turned to mythological subjects. He spent the last years of his life in Italy.
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