Zelfportret van Gabriël van Rooyen 1762 - 1817

This is a self-portrait of Gabriël van Rooyen, painted in oil on canvas. The texture of the canvas is visible beneath the paint, giving the portrait a sense of depth and materiality. Oil painting was a technique that required considerable training and skill, reflecting the artist’s investment in mastering his craft. The pigments themselves would have been carefully ground and mixed, a labor-intensive process that added to the value of the finished work. The smooth, almost porcelain-like finish of Van Rooyen's face, achieved through careful layering of paint, contrasts with the looser brushwork in the background, a subtle reminder of the hand that made it. Looking closely, we can see the individual strokes that build up the form, each one a testament to the artist's control and vision. Ultimately, this self-portrait is more than just an image; it is a record of the artist's skill, the materials he used, and the cultural values that elevated painting to a high art.