Self-Portrait of an Unknown Artist at the Age of Twenty-two c. 1740
Dimensions: support: 769 x 639 mm frame: 910 x 771 x 85 mm
Copyright: CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Editor: This is "Self-Portrait of an Unknown Artist at the Age of Twenty-two," painted by the British School in the 18th century. There's a sense of introspection in his gaze. What do you make of it? Curator: The gaze is key. It carries echoes of the past; the artist, presenting himself, perhaps yearning for recognition. Do you notice the clothing? Black garments were not just about mourning, but also about projecting sobriety, intellect. Editor: Yes, the dark clothing against the dark background really emphasizes his face. Almost like he's stepping out of the shadows. Curator: Precisely! The symbols of shadow and light, the presentation of self, it all speaks to a negotiation between identity and ambition. What future did he imagine for himself, I wonder? Editor: It's fascinating to consider the layers of meaning within such a seemingly simple portrait. Thank you!
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http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/british-school-18th-century-self-portrait-of-an-unknown-artist-at-the-age-of-twenty-two-n01076
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The identity of the man in this painting is unknown. An inscription says that it is a self-portrait, created when the artist was twenty-two years old. Its style suggests that it was painted around 1740. The artist is shown in sober clothing. He wears a type of cap often worn by artists in their studios. It also associates this painter with Rembrandt, who famously painted himself in such working clothes. Rembrandt was an important role-model for artists in eighteenth-century Britain, admired for his technical brilliance and profundity. Gallery label, September 2004
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