The artwork “Self-Portrait” by Peter Paul Rubens dating from 1623 is an oil on panel piece encapsulating the essence of the Baroque movement. The masterful self-portrait measures 61 by 45 centimeters and resides in a private collection. The genre of this work is a self-portrait, wherein Rubens represents himself with great artistic finesse.
In the artwork, Peter Paul Rubens portrays himself with a confident and direct gaze towards the viewer, exuding an air of authority and self-assuredness. He is dressed sumptuously, indicative of his success and social standing, with a ruff-framed collar and a dark, wide-brimmed hat which casts a shadow over his forehead, accentuating his dignified facial features. The painterly quality of the portrait reflects the rich and dynamic characteristic of the Baroque period, with expressive brushwork and a dramatic interplay of light and shadow, emphasizing the three-dimensionality of the figure. The background is subdued with a hint of a landscape, allowing the focus to remain firmly on the figure of Rubens himself. This striking self-portrait exemplifies Rubens’ skill in capturing human presence and the grandeur of the Baroque era.
