Who painted Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait was painted by Willem Hendrik Schmidt in 1840-01-01.

Where can I see Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Self-Portrait?

Self-Portrait is associated with Biedermeier.

Artwork

Self-Portrait

Willem Hendrik Schmidt , 1840

Self-Portrait is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Willem Hendrik Schmidt. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Willem Hendrik Schmidt himself, as confirmed by its classification as a self-portrait and its identification of him as both creator and main subject. Created in 1840, the work presents the artist in a self-reflective mode typical of the genre, using oil paint on canvas in a near-square format of 110 by 88 centimetres. Held in the Rijksmuseum collection, the portrait functions as a personal statement of identity, with Schmidt portraying himself as the sole figure represented in the composition.

Technique & Style

The handling is smooth and controlled, with fine, blended brushwork that models the face and costume with subtle transitions of light and shadow.

The painting is executed in oil on canvas, a medium typical of nineteenth-century European portraiture. The handling is smooth and controlled, with fine, blended brushwork that models the face and costume with subtle transitions of light and shadow. The composition is tightly framed, focusing attention on the sitter’s head and shoulders against a neutral background.

The palette is restrained, relying on earth tones and muted hues to convey a restrained, introspective presence. No visible underdrawing or pentimenti is reported, suggesting a deliberate, resolved execution.

History & Provenance

The work was painted by Willem Hendrik Schmidt in 1840, as indicated by both the artist’s inscription and the authoritative date recorded in the collection’s records.

It entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings as part of its permanent collection, where it remains located. The painting is catalogued as a self-portrait and depicts the artist himself, consistent with its classification and subject matter.

Overview

Created in 1840, this oil painting is a self‑portrait by Dutch artist Willem Hendrik Schmidt. The work shows the artist standing before an empty canvas, holding a brush in one hand and a stick in the other. Dressed in a dark coat with a fur‑trimmed collar and a red hat, he is illuminated by a focused light that highlights his face and hands against a plain background.