Self-Portrait (Portrait de l'artiste)
Painting on canvas • Vincent van Gogh
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, featuring heavy impasto, rhythmic linear brushstrokes, and a varied palette of blues and ochres.
Creation Period
September 1889
Dimensions & Format
65 cm × 54 cm (25.6 in × 21.3 in); Portrait format
Subject Description
A bust-length self-portrait of the artist looking slightly to the left. He is dressed in a blue jacket and waistcoat. The background is composed of swirling, turbulent patterns that mirror the brushwork of his clothing and hair, suggesting an intense psychological state.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent (Museum Grade)
Estimated Market Value
$150,000,000 - $250,000,000+
Auction Estimate
In excess of $100,000,000 (Estimate upon request)
Provenance History
Formerly in the collection of Paul Gachet; donated by his children to the French state in 1949. Currently held at the Musée d'Orsay, Paris.
Art Historical Significance
One of Van Gogh's most iconic and psychologically profound self-portraits, painted during his stay at the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. It represents the height of his mature style and his attempt to capture his own identity during a period of mental instability.
Notable Features
The hypnotic, undulating background swirls that appear to pulsate with energy, the fixity of the subject's gaze, and the seamless integration of the sitter's form with the surrounding space through uniform brushwork.
Condition Issues
Stable craquelure consistent with age and heavy impasto technique; minor yellowing of aged varnish (though largely cleaned).
Conservation Recommendations
Climate-controlled museum environment (approx. 20°C, 50% humidity), low UV lighting levels, and professional glazing for physical protection.