Who painted Self-portrait?

Self-portrait was painted by Cornelis Troost in 1739.

Where can I see Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Self-portrait?

Self-portrait is associated with Rococo painting.

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

Cornelis Troost , 1739

Self-portrait is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Cornelis Troost. It dates from 1739 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

The work measures 103 cm by 83 cm and exemplifies Rococo stylistic traits through its decorative brushwork and compositional elegance.

Self-portrait by Cornelis Troost, painted in 1739, is executed in oil on canvas. The work measures 103 cm by 83 cm and exemplifies Rococo stylistic traits through its decorative brushwork and compositional elegance. Its surface retains original handling characteristics typical of 18th-century Dutch portraiture, with no documented alterations or conservation interventions noted in the source records.

History & Provenance

The painting, a self-portrait by Dutch artist Cornelis Troost, was created in 1739. It is an oil on canvas work measuring 103 cm by 83 cm and belongs to the Rococo movement. The artwork entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display. Its creation history is documented through its commission and execution as a personal portrait by the artist.

The Self-portrait by Cornelis Troost, painted in 1739, is housed in the Rijksmuseum under inventory number SK-A-1865. It was exhibited in the 2019 exhibition "Dutch Masters: Self-Portraits" at the Rijksmuseum.

The work measures 103 cm in height and 83 cm in width, executed in oil paint on canvas.

Context

Cornelis Troost’s 1739 Self-portrait occupies a distinct place within the Dutch Rococo, a movement characterized by its playful elegance and departure from the austerity of earlier Golden Age portraiture. Scholars highlight the work’s intimate yet performative quality, reflecting the artist’s engagement with both self-representation and the conventions of 18th-century portraiture. Unlike the restrained dignity of his predecessors, Troost’s self-portrait embraces a more relaxed, almost theatrical presence, aligning with Rococo’s emphasis on individual expression and decorative charm.

The painting’s inclusion in the Rijksmuseum’s collection underscores its significance as a document of Troost’s artistic identity and its role in shaping the narrative of Dutch art’s transition into the Rococo era. While not as widely studied as his genre scenes, this self-portrait offers insight into the artist’s self-fashioning within a broader European context, where self-portraits increasingly served as vehicles for artistic persona and social commentary.

Overview

Cornelis Troost's Self-portrait is an oil painting created in 1739, characterized by its circular frame and Rococo stylistic associations. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts the artist from the waist up, directly engaging the viewer. He wears a brown jacket with white trim, has curly grey hair, and holds a palette and brushes in his left hand, while his right arm rests on a ledge, conveying his profession and possibly his personality.