“Self-portrait in a Convex Mirror” is an oil painting on a panel, created by the artist Parmigianino around c.1524. This artwork falls under the Mannerism movement of the Late Renaissance and is a self-portrait that is currently housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria.
The artwork presents its subject through a unique perspective created by a convex mirror. The distorted curvature of the reflection magnifies the artist’s hand in the foreground, drawing immediate attention due to its disproportionate size in relation to his face. The delicate yet vivid portrayal of the artist’s features, adorned in dark, finely detailed garments with a fur collar and white frilled cuffs, exemplifies the meticulous detail indicative of the Mannerism art movement. Housed within an ornately gilded frame, the portrait exudes an intimate glimpse into the artist’s self-perception, standing as a testament to Parmigianino’s innovative techniques and his place in Renaissance artistry.
