Dimensions support: 600 x 476 mm
Curator: Alfred Stevens painted "An Artist in his Studio," which the Tate now holds; I'm curious about the story of its making. Editor: It feels intimate, immediate – almost as if he caught himself in a mirror, pausing in the creative whirlwind. Curator: The painting's materiality speaks volumes; the visible brushstrokes and limited palette highlight the artist’s labor and the raw process of creation. Look closely at the construction of the background. Editor: Yes, it's not a showy, posed thing at all. It's a glimpse, a moment, not unlike a snapshot from my own studio experience. The chair... Curator: The chair? Editor: Well, it's where the magic happens – or doesn’t! It all reminds me how solitary art-making can be, despite its inherent connection to the world. Curator: A fitting thought to end on, as we consider how Stevens has shown us the artist's engagement with his materials. Editor: Absolutely, it's like peering into a private world and feeling instantly connected to it.
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http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/stevens-an-artist-in-his-studio-n02212
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This image of a painter in his studio shows one of the new kinds of artistic identity that emerged during the 19th century. The artist is presented as an urbane young gentleman, a distinctly modern figure. His rather foppish persona contrasts with the workshop-like setting. The portrait presents the artist as a man of fashion, rather than as an artisan or labourer, or even as a sober professional, roles that had dominated the self-portrait tradition in the past. Gallery label, November 2016
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