Self Portrait
In this bold self-portrait, a miniature painter depicts himself with the tools of his trade, including paint brushes and an oval ivory palette with watercolor pigments (similar to those on display nearby). Seated in a colonial side chair and fashionably dressed in an embroidered blue waistcoat, he pauses from painting a miniature portrait of a young woman to meet the viewer’s gaze. Although the artist’s identity remains unknown, he is believed to have been biracial and likely worked in or around New Orleans, Louisiana, where this self-portrait was discovered.
Artwork Details
- Title: Self Portrait
- Artist: Unknown Artist
- Date: ca. 1800–1805
- Medium: Watercolor on ivory
- Dimensions: 3 1/4 × 3 1/4 in. (8.3 × 8.3 cm)
- Credit Line: Dale T. Johnson Fund, 2014
- Object Number: 2014.512
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Unknown Artist
after 1821
Unknown Artist
1935
Unknown Artist
ca. 1903–5
Unknown Artist
1840
Unknown Artist
ca. 1906
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.