Self-Portrait 1775

This is a self-portrait by George Stubbs, an artist born in England in 1724, and is rendered in watercolour on ivory. Stubbs was best known for his paintings of horses, often set against the backdrop of the English countryside, yet here he turns his eye upon himself. During his lifetime, the art world was deeply entwined with social status. Artists often relied on commissions from wealthy patrons, aligning their work with the tastes of the elite. Yet, Stubbs was somewhat of an outsider. Though he gained popularity for his horse paintings amongst the aristocracy, he was not formally trained in art. In this self-portrait, Stubbs presents himself as a refined gentleman of the 18th century. Yet, we might also think about how self-portraiture allowed artists to construct and control their own narratives, and here, Stubbs defines his own identity. He challenges the conventional social hierarchies of the time, asserting his place within the artistic and intellectual circles.