Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is an unspecified painting by the Fauvist artist Harald Giersing. It dates from 1907 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created in 1907, this self‑portrait by Danish painter Harald Giersden captures the artist’s own likeness in a compact, close‑up format.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition, measuring 255 cm in height by 220 cm in width, is large in scale, giving the figure a commanding presence.
The painting is a self-portrait by the Danish artist Harald Giersing, depicting the artist himself as its sole subject. Classified as a portrait and specifically identified as a self-portrait, the work presents Giersing as both creator and sitter, a convention in which an artist turns the act of representation inward to examine his own likeness.
The composition, measuring 255 cm in height by 220 cm in width, is large in scale, giving the figure a commanding presence. Held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, the self-portrait functions as a personal statement, asserting the artist's identity within the tradition of figurative painting at the turn of the twentieth century.
History & Provenance
Harald Giersing painted this self-portrait in 1907, signing and dating the work that year. After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, where it has remained ever since. No earlier owners or commission details are recorded in the available sources, and the work’s provenance is therefore traced directly from the artist’s studio to the museum’s holdings. The oil on canvas measures approximately 255 cm in height and 220 cm in width.
The work is held at the Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen. It is inventoried as part of the museum’s holdings under the accession associated with Harald Giersing’s 1907 painting.
It has been exhibited at the Statens Museum for Kunst as part of its collection display.
Legacy
Harald Giersing’s Self-Portrait (1907) has been recognized as a significant contribution to early modernist portraiture, influencing subsequent generations of Nordic artists through its psychological depth and formal experimentation. The painting is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it continues to be featured in scholarly exhibitions that examine the development of self-representation in Scandinavian art. Its legacy is underscored by ongoing academic discourse on Giersing’s role in shaping modern portraiture, as documented in museum records and art historical analyses.
Overview
Created in 1907, this self‑portrait by Danish painter Harald Giersden captures the artist’s own likeness in a compact, close‑up format. Executed during his early involvement with the Fauvist tendency, the work now belongs to the collection of Denmark’s National Gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst. It exemplifies Giersden’s early exploration of colour and form that would later inform his broader reputation in 20th‑century Danish art.
Technique & Style
Loose, thick brushstrokes dominate the surface, especially around the hairline and neck, where the paint is applied in a textured impasto that leaves the canvas almost tactile. The palette is restrained, relying on muted tones punctuated by the dark collar, while the overall handling remains vigorous, giving the portrait a sense of immediacy and liveliness characteristic of early Fauvist experiments.
Context
Giersden’s self‑portrait emerges at a time when Danish artists were engaging with broader European avant‑garde movements, particularly Fauvism’s emphasis on colour and expressive brushwork. While the work retains a subdued palette compared with French Fauves, its energetic handling aligns it with the period’s push toward personal expression and a break from academic conventions.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Harald Giersing (24 April 1881 – 15 January 1927) was a Danish painter. He was instrumental in developing the classic modernism movement in Denmark around 1910-1920. He is remembered as one of Denmark's most important…
