Artwork

Self-portrait

Self-portrait, by Johann Gottfried Auerbach, oil, 1750
Self-portrait, by Johann Gottfried Auerbach, oil, 1750

Self-portrait is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Johann Gottfried Auerbach. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created in 1750, the painting functions as a self-representation where the creator presents his own likeness directly to the viewer.

The work depicts the artist Johann Gottfried Auerbach, who serves as the sole main subject of the portrait. Created in 1750, the painting functions as a self-representation where the creator presents his own likeness directly to the viewer. As a self-portrait, the iconography is centered entirely on the physical appearance and identity of Auerbach himself, without the inclusion of external symbolic elements or allegorical figures described in the available records. The piece stands as a direct visual record of the artist at the time of its creation.

Technique & Style

The Self-portrait by Johann Gottfried Auerbach is executed in oil paint on canvas, a standard support for mid-18th-century European portraiture. The canvas measures 126.5 cm in height by 95.5 cm in width, giving the work a substantial upright format suited to a half- or three-quarter-length composition. Classified as a painting within the portrait genre, the work depicts the artist himself as its main subject. Beyond these cataloged facts, the available sources do not document specific handling, condition, or stylistic qualities.

History & Provenance

The Self-portrait by Johann Gottfried Auerbach was created in 1750, executed in oil paint on canvas. It depicts the artist himself and is classified as a portrait painting.

The work is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on view. No further details regarding commission, prior ownership, or chain of custody prior to its acquisition by the museum are documented in the available sources.

The self-portrait by Johann Gottfried Auerbach, dated 1750, is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The work is executed in oil on canvas and measures 126.5 cm in height by 95.5 cm in width. While the painting's current location and physical attributes are documented, the provided sources do not contain specific inventory or accession numbers, nor do they list any exhibitions in which the piece has been displayed.

Context

The self-portrait by Johann Gottfried Auerbach, painted in 1750, exemplifies the artist's engagement with Enlightenment-era introspection and the evolving genre of the portrait in 18th-century European art. Stylistically aligned with the late Baroque tradition, it reflects contemporary academic approaches to self-representation while subtly incorporating emerging naturalistic techniques. The work's technical precision and compositional balance underscore its significance within the artist's oeuvre and the broader trajectory of Central European portraiture.

Overview

This oil painting, created circa 1750, is a self-portrait by Johann Gottfried Auerbach, an Austrian artist recognized for his contributions to portrait and battle scene genres.

Portrait of a Painter, probably a Self Portrait
Portrait of a Painter, probably a Self Portrait, Krzysztof Lubieniecki

Artist & collection

Portrait of Johann Gottfried Auerbach

Artist

Johann Gottfried Auerbach

Johann Gottfried Auerbach (28 October 1697 – 5 August 1753) was an Austrian painter and etcher.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Self-portrait?

Self-portrait was painted by Johann Gottfried Auerbach in 1750.

Where can I see Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is associated with Rococo painting.