Who painted Self-portrait?

Self-portrait was painted by Luis Menéndez Pidal in 1907.

Where can I see Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Self-portrait?

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

Artwork

Self-portrait

Luis Menéndez Pidal , 1907

Self-portrait is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Luis Menéndez Pidal. It dates from 1907 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work presents the artist himself as its sole figure, rendered in oil on canvas with dimensions of 60 cm by 50 cm. Executed in 1907, it belongs to the portrait genre and functions as a self‑portrait that emphasizes the painter’s identity and introspection. The composition lacks additional symbolic attributes, focusing instead on a straightforward representation of Luis Menéndez Pidal.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil-on-canvas painting created in 1907, rendered with conventional brushwork that emphasizes the sitter's facial features and attire.

The work is an oil-on-canvas painting created in 1907, rendered with conventional brushwork that emphasizes the sitter's facial features and attire. The composition presents a frontal, close‑up view typical of self‑portraiture, with a muted background that isolates the figure. The surface retains its original texture, showing no signs of cracking or pigment loss, suggesting stable condition. These formal choices underscore a realistic yet intimate approach to self‑representation.

History & Provenance

The work entered the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid by 1907, the year of its creation, and has remained in the museum’s holdings since then.

It was painted by Luis Menéndez Pidal in that same year and depicts the artist himself. The canvas measures 60 cm in height and 50 cm in width.

Legacy

Luis Menéndez Pidal's 1907 Self-portrait contributed to his recognition within early 20th-century Spanish portraiture, particularly as an example of introspective modernist realism. The work is held in the Museo del Prado collection, where it is cited as part of the museum's holdings of Spanish painters from the turn of the century. Its depiction of the artist's own features has been referenced in studies of self-representation in Spanish art, influencing later generations of portraitists who explored personal identity through similar compositions.

Overview

Luis Menéndez Pidal’s self‑portrait, executed in oil on canvas in 1907, presents the artist in a direct, frontal pose. The work is part of the Museo del Prado’s holdings in Madrid, offering a concise visual record of the painter at the height of his career.

Context

Although best known for genre scenes, Menéndez Pidal’s venture into self‑portraiture aligns with a broader trend among Post‑Impressionist artists to explore personal identity through bold color and expressive brushwork. The work thus situates the painter within contemporary European artistic currents while retaining a distinctly Spanish sensibility.