The artwork, entitled “Self-Portrait,” was created by the renowned artist J.M.W. Turner around the year 1799. Executed in oil on canvas, this piece exemplifies the Romanticism movement and measures 74 by 58 centimeters. As a self-portrait, it serves to provide a glimpse into the artist’s own visage during the turn of the 18th century. Currently, this esteemed artwork is housed in Tate Britain, located in London, United Kingdom.
In the artwork, Turner has painted himself against a dark, nondescript background, which serves to focus the viewer’s attention on his face and upper torso. The young artist’s expression is stern yet contemplative, and he is depicted wearing period attire—complete with a white neckcloth and dark overcoat. The lighting in the painting is dramatic, highlighting his facial features and casting subtle shadows that lend depth and intensity to the overall composition. The brushwork is precise, yet expressive, capturing the nuances of fabric and flesh, reflective of Turner’s masterful technique and his innovative approach to light and shade, hallmarks of the Romanticism era.
