Who painted Self-portrait?

Self-portrait was painted by Palma il Giovane in 1590.

Where can I see Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is held by Pinacoteca di Brera.

What movement is Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is associated with Mannerism.

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

Palma il Giovane , 1590

Self-portrait is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Palma il Giovane. It dates from 1590 and is held in the collection of the Pinacoteca di Brera.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1590, this oil on canvas presents the Venetian painter Iacopo Negretti, known as Palma il Giovane, in a self‑portrait. The composition places the artist prominently in the foreground, his hat and direct gaze engaging the viewer, while a biblical scene unfolds behind him. The work is part of the portrait tradition and is currently exhibited in Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera.

Subject & Meaning

The painting juxtaposes the artist’s own likeness with a narrative of Christ bearing the cross, surrounded by attendant figures. This pairing may reflect Palma il Giovane’s contemplation of his role as a creator within a religious context, linking personal identity to the broader spiritual themes prevalent in late‑sixteenth‑century Venetian art.

Technique & Style

Employing a pronounced chiaroscuro, the artist models forms through stark light‑and‑shadow contrasts, giving both his own figure and the background scene a three‑dimensional presence. A palette that balances warm earth tones with cooler blues and grays underscores the Mannerist sensibility of the period, while the brushwork remains fluid and expressive.

History & Provenance

Palma il Giovane, a leading exponent of Venetian Mannerism, rose to prominence after Tintoretto’s death in 1594, becoming the city’s foremost painter. This self‑portrait, likely intended as a personal statement, entered the collection of the Pinacoteca di Brera, where it remains a documented example of the artist’s late‑career output.

Passage from the Life of Saint Francis, Juan Martín Cabezalero

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Artist & collection

Artist

Palma il Giovane

Iacopo Negretti (1548/50 – 14 October 1628), best known as Jacopo or Giacomo Palma il Giovane or simply Palma Giovane ('Young Palma'), was an Italian painter from Venice and a notable exponent of the Venetian school.