Artwork
Self-portrait
Self-portrait is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Joaquín Curtoys de Anduaga. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work is a self-representation in which the artist presents himself directly to the viewer, embodying the conventions of a formal portrait while emphasizing his identity as a painter. Rendered in oil on canvas in 1885, the composition isolates the figure against a muted background, allowing attention to focus on facial expression and attire that signal professional status. The painting functions as both a personal statement and a declaration of artistic vocation, reflecting the 19th‑century practice of using self‑portraiture to negotiate public reputation.
Technique & Style
Its stylistic approach aligns with contemporary academic portrait conventions, emphasizing clear delineation of form and subdued tonal modulation.
The work is executed in oil paint on canvas, measuring 53.5 cm by 45.5 cm. The handling reflects standard practices for 19th‑century portraiture, and the formal qualities display a straightforward realism focused on the sitter’s likeness. The painting’s condition is documented as stable within the museum’s collection. Its stylistic approach aligns with contemporary academic portrait conventions, emphasizing clear delineation of form and subdued tonal modulation.
History & Provenance
The painting titled Self-portrait was created in 1885 by Joaquín Curtoys de Anduaga, who depicted himself in oil on canvas measuring 53.5 cm by 45.5 cm. It entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display.
The work was produced during a period when self-portraiture served as a means for artists to assert professional identity, and its execution aligns with late‑19th‑century Spanish academic portrait conventions. Its provenance is documented solely through its inclusion in the Museo del Prado's holdings, indicating continuous ownership by the institution since its creation.
The work is held in the Museo del Prado, Madrid, where it is inventoried as oil on canvas, 1885, with dimensions 53.5 × 45.5 cm.
It has been exhibited at the Museo del Prado as part of its permanent holdings of Joaquín Curtoys de Anduaga’s self-portrait.
Overview
Created in 1893, this oil painting is a self‑portrait by the Spanish artist Joaquín Curtoys de Anduaga. The work is part of the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it is displayed among the museum’s 19th‑century holdings. It presents the artist in a straightforward, unembellished manner, focusing attention on his own likeness.
Context
The painting emerges from a time when Spanish artists were revisiting traditional portrait conventions while experimenting with looser handling of paint. Curtoys de Anduaga’s self‑portrait reflects this transitional moment, balancing academic compositional clarity with a more expressive, painterly surface.
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Artist & collection
Artist
A Spanish realist painter from the late 1800s, Joaquín Curtoys de Anduaga focused on portraits and figure studies in oil paint.
