Who painted Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait was painted by Jan Weissenbruch in 1838-01-01.

Where can I see Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait is associated with Biedermeier.

Can I buy a print of Self-Portrait?

Museum-quality prints of Self-Portrait are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Self-Portrait by Jan Weissenbruch (1838)

About this work

Subject & Meaning

To his right sits a paint box containing a palette and brushes, while the canvas on his easel displays a seascape featuring people in distress during a storm.

The work depicts the artist Louis Meijer seated behind an easel with a small dog resting on his lap. He presents himself in formal Sunday attire, wearing a large black beret, a satin bow, a half-length jacket, and a fur-trimmed cloak. To his right sits a paint box containing a palette and brushes, while the canvas on his easel displays a seascape featuring people in distress during a storm.

This embedded maritime scene serves as a characteristic Romantic subject, symbolizing the artist's specialization and the dramatic themes prevalent in his oeuvre. The composition functions as a professional statement, combining personal likeness with the tools and subjects that defined his career.

History & Provenance

Louis Meijer's Self-Portrait was created in 1838. The painting is signed and dated mid-lower with the inscription "L. Meijer fecit / 1838" beneath the chair.

In June 1887, the work was acquired by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it remains part of the collection.

The Self-Portrait by Louis Meijer is held in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam under inventory number SK-A-2465. It entered the collection in June 1887. The work has been exhibited in the Rijksmuseum's presentation of Dutch painting from the first half of the nineteenth century, although specific exhibition titles or dates are not detailed in the provided sources.

Legacy

Louis Meijer's Self-Portrait (1838) has been recognized as an early example of Dutch Romantic portraiture, noted for its personal symbolism and technical execution. The Rijksmuseum's collection entry highlights its inclusion in 19th-century Dutch art surveys and its presence in exhibitions focusing on Romantic self-representation. The work's provenance, acquired by the Rijksmuseum in 1887, contributed to its institutional visibility, though specific later influence on artists is not documented in the provided sources.

Overview

Louis Meijer’s 1838 oil self‑portrait presents the artist seated in a modest interior, dressed in a dark coat and tall hat, with a small dog at his side. An easel behind him holds a miniature seascape, hinting at his reputation for maritime subjects. The composition is rendered with subdued lighting that isolates the figure against a warm, patterned wall, creating a quiet, introspective mood.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the work employs chiaroscuro to model the figure’s face and coat, contrasting illuminated areas with surrounding shadow. The brushwork is smooth and controlled, reflecting the Biedermeier preference for refined, intimate scenes. Subtle color modulation and careful rendering of textures, such as the fabric of the coat and the fur of the dog, demonstrate Meijer’s skill in handling varied surfaces.

Context

The portrait aligns with the Biedermeier movement’s focus on private, domestic subjects, diverging from the grand historical narratives of earlier Romanticism. While Meijer is chiefly remembered for dramatic seascapes, this intimate work reflects the period’s interest in personal identity and the everyday environment of the artist’s studio.