The artwork entitled “Self-Portrait” was created by the artist Paolo Veronese between the years 1558 and 1563. This work is rendered in oil on canvas and is an exemplar of the Mannerism art movement, which is a period of the Late Renaissance. The dimensions of the piece measure 63 by 51 centimeters. As suggested by its title, the genre of this piece is a self-portrait. It is housed in the Hermitage Museum located in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
The artwork is a thoughtful representation of the artist himself. Veronese is depicted in a three-quarter pose, gazing directly at the viewer with a poised and contemplative expression. The background is subdued, dark, and undetailed, which serves to draw the observer’s focus entirely to the figure of the artist. Veronese’s attire is simple, yet he wears a dark garment that features elegant buttons and a small detail of red, possibly a sign of his status or an artistic device to capture attention. His beard and hair are well-groomed, indicative of the personal care and self-awareness characteristic of the era. The precise brushwork, the muted palette, and the subtle lighting which models the face, all contribute to the introspective quality of this self-portrait.
