Who painted Self-Portrait at Spurveskjul?

Self-Portrait at Spurveskjul was painted by Vilhelm Hammershøi in 1911-01-01.

Where can I see Self-Portrait at Spurveskjul?

Self-Portrait at Spurveskjul is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Self-Portrait at Spurveskjul?

Self-Portrait at Spurveskjul is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Self-Portrait at Spurveskjul?

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

Artwork

Self-Portrait at Spurveskjul

Vilhelm Hammershøi , 1911

Self-Portrait at Spurveskjul is an oil painting by the Realist artist Vilhelm Hammershøi. It dates from 1911 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

A man sits in a dim room, his face half-lit by a soft glow, a dark suit on and something small in his hand. Behind him a three-paned window lets in faint light over a dark street. Hammershoi works in grays and browns, with a hint of warmth on one cheek. Oil, 1911.

Subject & Meaning

The 1911 oil painting depicts Hammershøi in a three-quarter view, turned slightly toward his right, with a neutral expression and hands clasped at waist level.

The 1911 oil painting depicts Hammershøi in a three-quarter view, turned slightly toward his right, with a neutral expression and hands clasped at waist level. His attire, dark suit, white shirt, and dark tie, conforms to contemporary professional dress, while the plain background and diffuse north-facing light emphasize a restrained, introspective mood. The composition omits props or attributes, focusing attention on the artist's inward gaze and the quiet interplay of muted tones.

In this restrained self-representation, Hammershøi aligns himself with the sober, psychological portraiture that characterizes his broader oeuvre, signaling both personal identity and a meditation on the act of picturing the self.

Technique & Style

Self-Portrait at Spurveskjul is executed in oil paint on canvas, a medium consistent with Hammershøi's mature practice. The work is classified as a painting and falls within the genre of self-portraiture. Beyond these basic material facts, the available documentation does not provide further detail regarding the artist's handling of paint, the support's dimensions or weave, surface condition, or specific formal and stylistic qualities such as palette, brushwork, or compositional approach.

History & Provenance

Self-Portrait at Spurveskjul is an oil on canvas portrait painted by Vilhelm Hammershøi in 1911. The work depicts the artist himself and was created as a personal self-portrait. Following its execution, the painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is held under accession number 2020.287.

Its provenance therefore traces from the artist's studio in 1911 to its acquisition by the museum, which now houses the piece in its permanent collection.

Legacy

The 1911 oil painting Self-Portrait at Spurveskjul exemplifies Hammershøi's late self-representation, reflecting his mature stylistic concerns and introspective subjectivity. Held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the work contributes to studies of his self-portraiture and to his enduring reputation as a significant figure in early-twentieth-century Nordic art.

Overview

Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershøi created Self-Portrait at Spurveskjul in 1911. This oil painting depicts the artist himself, reflecting his characteristic approach to portraiture. The work is a notable example of his subdued and atmospheric style, which often explored quiet domestic scenes and introspective figures. It currently resides in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.