Artwork
Self-portrait
Self-portrait is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Jacob Hart Lazarus. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition, typical of 19th-century portraiture, presents the sitter directly to the viewer, underscoring a sense of self-recognition and confidence.
The 1875 oil on canvas self-portrait shows Jacob Hart Lazarus rendered in a straightforward manner, emphasizing his role as both artist and subject. As a work within The American Wing, it functions as a visual statement of the painter's professional identity and personal presence, reflecting contemporary concerns with individuality and artistic stature. The composition, typical of 19th-century portraiture, presents the sitter directly to the viewer, underscoring a sense of self-recognition and confidence.
Its inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum's collection highlights its significance as a representative example of American portraiture from the period.
Technique & Style
Jacob Hart Lazarus's 1875 Self-portrait is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The work measures 68.9 centimeters in height and 55.9 centimeters in width. Classified as a portrait within the genre of self-representation, the piece depicts the artist as a man.
The painting is part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, specifically housed in the American Wing. While the sources confirm the medium and dimensions, they do not provide detailed descriptions of the brushwork, specific handling techniques, current physical condition, or further formal stylistic analysis beyond its classification as a portrait.
History & Provenance
The work titled Self-portrait was created in 1875 by Jacob Hart Lazarus using oil on canvas, depicting the artist himself in a straightforward self-portrait. It is classified within The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is held, and is listed as a portrait genre piece. The dimensions measure approximately 68.9 by 55.9 centimeters.
The available documentation does not specify a particular inventory or accession number, and no details regarding the work's exhibition history or loan records are recorded in the current sources.
Overview
This oil on canvas depicts the artist in a self-portrait, a work housed within the American Wing collection. The subject, dressed in a dark coat, meets the viewer's gaze directly, holding a paintbrush. His features are gently illuminated, contrasting with the almost entirely dark background, which emphasizes his presence and focused expression.
Context
Created during a period when photography was emerging as a new medium, this self-portrait reflects a moment of transition in art. Artists of the era often sought to reaffirm the unique capabilities of painting, particularly in capturing the nuances of human likeness and character, in contrast to the mechanical precision of the camera.
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