Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Richard Cosway. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Richard Cosway's 1770 painting functions as a self-portrait, explicitly depicting the artist himself as the primary subject.
Richard Cosway's 1770 painting functions as a self-portrait, explicitly depicting the artist himself as the primary subject. The work presents a male figure rendered in profile, a compositional choice that emphasizes the sitter's distinct facial features rather than a direct engagement with the viewer. As a portrait genre piece, the image serves as a straightforward representation of Cosway's likeness during the late eighteenth century, devoid of complex allegorical attributes or hidden symbolic narratives in the available records.
The depiction focuses on the identity of the man, capturing his physical appearance without additional iconographic elements that would suggest a broader metaphorical meaning beyond the documentation of the artist's own visage.
History & Provenance
The Self-Portrait by Richard Cosway was executed in 1770, as recorded in its catalogue entry and confirmed by its inception date of 1770‑00‑00. It is a painted self‑portrait that depicts the artist in profile and was produced likely at the artist’s own request, serving as both a personal record and a professional showcase. Following its creation, the work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view; this transfer marks the known ownership chain from the artist to the museum. The painting is classified as a portrait and is catalogued under the artist’s oeuvre.
Richard Cosway's 1770 self-portrait is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. While the work is confirmed to be part of the museum's holdings, the provided records do not specify a particular accession or inventory number for the piece. Furthermore, there is no information available within the current sources regarding any past or present exhibitions in which this specific painting has been displayed.
Overview
This circular painting presents a self-portrait of the artist, depicting a man with fair skin and light brown hair neatly pulled back. He is shown wearing a dark jacket over a patterned shirt, accented by a high white collar with delicate lace trim. The subject's gentle expression and the unadorned, dark background direct the viewer's attention entirely to the face, creating an intimate portrayal.
Technique & Style
The painting employs a tondo format, a circular composition that often implies a personal or intimate scale. A strong contrast between light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro, illuminates the artist's face and collar against the deep, unadorned background. This dramatic lighting technique enhances the three-dimensionality of the figure and focuses the viewer's eye on the subtle details of the face and attire, isolating the subject from any contextual distractions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Richard Cosway (5 November 1742 – 4 July 1821) was a leading English portrait painter of the Georgian and Regency era, noted for his miniatures.
