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Self Portrait

Unknown

oil

canvas

From the collection of Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Portrait Joseph Wright of Derby

Dominant colour

Self Portrait is an oil by Unknown, depicting Joseph Wright of Derby, held at Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

Who painted this?: Unknown
Where can I see it?: Derby Museum and Art Gallery

About this work

This painting is a self-portrait of an artist. The subject is shown from the chest up, wearing a dark jacket with a white collar visible underneath. The background of the painting is a warm, golden brown color. The artist's face is the main focus of the painting, with the rest of the image fading into the background. The subject's hair is dark and pulled back, and their eyes are cast downward. The artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and dimension to the painting. You can learn more about this technique by exploring chiaroscuro.