Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist William Orpen. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition includes specific iconographic elements such as a mirror, a bottle, and a window alongside the figure.
The work depicts the artist William Orpen as the primary subject, presented as a man within a self-portrait genre. The composition includes specific iconographic elements such as a mirror, a bottle, and a window alongside the figure. These objects contribute to the visual narrative of the painting, situating the artist within a domestic or studio setting that reflects his identity and environment.
The inclusion of the mirror is particularly significant for a self-portrait, as it alludes to the mechanism of the artist's own observation and the act of creation. The painting serves as a representation of Orpen himself, capturing his likeness and presence through oil on canvas.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting executed on canvas, measuring approximately 101.9 cm by 84.1 cm, and dates to 1910. Orpen employed the conventional oil‑on‑canvas support typical of early‑20th‑century portraiture, and the surface bears the texture of layered brushwork characteristic of his technique. The composition presents the artist before a mirror, with a bottle and a window visible behind him, emphasizing a reflective and intimate self‑examination.
As a self‑portrait, it was acquired by George Fisher Baker and is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
William Orpen's Self-Portrait is an oil-on-canvas work completed in 1910. The painting depicts the artist alongside a mirror, bottle, and window. It was once owned by collector George Fisher Baker before entering the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held. The canvas measures 101.9 cm in height by 84.1 cm in width.
Overview
This oil painting, titled Self-Portrait, depicts an artist within his studio space. The subject stands formally dressed, holding a cane, with a window illuminating the scene from behind. A cluttered table in the foreground suggests an active workspace, while the artist's composed yet serious expression engages the viewer. The work provides a glimpse into the painter's professional environment and self-perception.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Major Sir William Newenham Montague Orpen (27 November 1878 – 29 September 1931) was an Irish artist who mainly worked in London.
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