Artwork
Self-portrait
Self-portrait is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist José Villegas Cordero. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting is a self-portrait depicting the artist José Villegas Cordero himself, as both creator and sole subject.
The painting is a self-portrait depicting the artist José Villegas Cordero himself, as both creator and sole subject. As a self-portrait, the work functions as a personal statement of identity, presenting Villegas Cordero in his own likeness rather than through the eyes of another artist. Held in the Museo del Prado, it belongs to the tradition of artists using the self-portrait format to assert their professional standing and individual persona within the art world.
The oil-on-canvas format and large scale, 110 cm in height by 79 cm in width, give the image a formal, monumental presence appropriate to a self-representation intended for a major national collection. Painted in 1905, the work dates from a mature period in Villegas Cordero's career, when established artists commonly produced self-portraits as a means of consolidating their public image and legacy.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting on canvas executed in 1905. It measures 110 cm in height and 79 cm in width. Stylistically, the self-portrait adheres to the conventions of late nineteenth-century portraiture, with careful attention to the rendering of facial features and the fall of light across the subject’s face.
The handling of the medium is smooth and controlled, typical of academic practice of the period, and the palette remains subdued, focusing on naturalistic tones to convey the sitter’s physiognomy. No evidence of significant abrasion or structural damage is reported, suggesting the painting’s condition has been maintained within museum parameters.
History & Provenance
Created in 1905 by José Villegas Cordero, this oil-on-canvas self-portrait depicts the artist himself. The work measures 110 cm in height and 79 cm in width. It is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid.
The painting was executed as a portrait genre piece, serving as a direct representation of its creator during the early 20th century.
The self-portrait by José Villegas Cordero is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Created in 1905, the oil on canvas work measures 110 cm in height and 79 cm in width. While the painting is part of the museum's permanent holdings, the available records do not list specific inventory numbers or detail a history of exhibitions for this particular piece.
Overview
José Villegas Cordero's 1905 oil painting, Self-portrait, is a representation of the artist in a contemplative pose. The work is characteristic of the post-impressionist style and is part of the Museo del Prado's collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
José Villegas Cordero (26 August 1844, Seville – 9 November 1921, Madrid) was a Spanish painter of historical, genre and costumbrista scenes.
