The artwork, titled “Self Portrait,” was created by the esteemed artist William Hogarth around the year 1757. This piece, rendered in oil on canvas, belongs to the Rococo art movement and falls within the genre of self-portraiture. With dimensions measuring 45.1 by 42.5 cm, the work is housed in the National Gallery in London, UK.
In this painting, Hogarth presents himself engaged in the act of creation. Sitting on an elegant wooden chair, the artist holds a palette in one hand, filled with vibrant hues, and delicately applies paint to a canvas perched on an easel before him. The partially sketched figure on the easel hints at a work in progress, capturing the artist’s meticulous approach to his craft. Clad in a green coat with a white shirt and red breeches, Hogarth’s focused expression denotes a deep immersion in his artistic endeavor. The background, subtle and textured, contrasts with the detailed realism of the artist’s attire and the tools of his trade, emphasizing Hogarth’s significant presence within the scene.