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Student Artwork Guide

Self-portrait

Charles Le Brun

Name Class Date
Charles Le Brun, Self-portrait. Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Charles Le Brun originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/charles-le-brun/
Artist’s dates
1619 – 1690
Movement
Baroque Dramatic, theatrical pictures using deep shadow and strong diagonals to pull you into the action.

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Charles Le Brun died in 1690; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1760.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 30, 2026

Self-portrait — Charles Le Brun Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Self-portrait — Charles Le Brun

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1610
  2. 1620
  3. 1630
  4. 1640
  5. 1650
  6. 1660
  7. 1670
  8. 1680
  9. 1690

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 71 at death.

Shaded: the lifetime of Charles Le Brun (1619–1690) every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1655 Main working years: 1655–1671 Late works: from 1671

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/charles-le-brun-self-portrait-8DP55S-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Black #14070a

    Catalogued palette

    • #14070A
    • #3B1716
    • #E18539
    • #743220

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Black
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Serene How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Deep_shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Charles Le Brun over the last twelve months — 9 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 78.7%
    2. 2 Hong Kong 5.3%
    3. 3 United States of America 4.3%
    4. 4 Singapore 3.2%
    5. 5 Italy 2.1%
    6. 6 North Macedonia 2.1%
    7. 7 Ukraine 2.1%
    8. 8 Brazil 1.1%
    9. 9 Portugal 1.1%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Charles Le Brun

    1. 1 Entry of Alexander into Babylon, 1664 6.2%
    2. 2 Horatius Cocles defending the Bridge 5.4%
    3. 3 Alexander and Porus, 1665 3.6%
    4. 4 The Repentant Magdalen, 1655 3.6%
    5. 5 The Seasons: Autumn 3.6%
    6. 6 Louis XIV, King of France 2.7%
    7. 7 The Resolution of Louis XIV to Make War on the Dutch Republic, 1671 2.7%
    8. 8 The Triumph of Faith, 1658 2.7%
    9. 9 La repas de Chimon 2.7%
    10. 10 Homme drapé prosterné. Jeune homme à mi-corps, les bras en avant 2.7%
    11. 11 Bellone 2.7%
    12. 12 Martyrdom of St John the Evangelist at Porta Latina, 1641 1.8%
    13. 13 Chancellor Séguier at the Entry of Louis XIV into Paris, 1655 1.8%
    14. 14 The Fall of the Rebel Angels 1.8%
    15. 15 Portrait of the Sculptor Nicolas Le Brun, 1635 1.8%
    16. 16 Hercules (detail), 1658 1.8%
    17. 17 Portrait of Senator Ya.F. Dolgoruky 1.8%
    18. 18 Hercules Slaying the Centaurs 1.8%
    19. 19 Ambassador of the King of Siam. 1.8%
    20. 39 Self-portrait this painting 0.9%

    Together these works take 53.9% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 161 works by this artist, of which 64 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 39 of them, with 0.9% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 30, 2026

    Self-portrait — Charles Le Brun Part 2 · In context

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Charles Le Brun

    Born in Paris, France

    Early Life and Training

    Born: Paris, France (1619)

    Baptised: 24 February 1619

    Died: 12 February 1690 Paris, Kingdom of France

    Charles Le Brun displayed artistic talent from a young age. At the age of eleven, he entered the studio of Simon Vouet under the patronage of Chancellor Séguier.

    He further studied with François Perrier and received early commissions from Cardinal Richelieu, demonstrating considerable skill even at fifteen.

    A pivotal period in his development was a four-year stay in Rome (1642-1646), where he worked under the guidance of Nicolas Poussin. This experience profoundly shaped his artistic style and theoretical understanding of art.

    During this time, Le Brun studied ancient Roman sculpture and copied works by Raphael, absorbing influences from both classical antiquity and contemporary Italian masters.

    Artistic Development and Style

    Upon returning to Paris in 1646, Le Brun quickly gained recognition and patronage. His early style reflected the influence of Vouet and Poussin, but he gradually developed a more personal approach.

    Le Brun's artistic evolution involved moving away from strict adherence to classical models towards a more dynamic and expressive Baroque style.

    He became known for his grand historical paintings, portraiture, and decorative work, often characterized by dramatic compositions, rich colors, and meticulous detail.

    A significant series of works depicting the history of Alexander the Great showcased his ability to combine historical narrative with artistic grandeur.

    Major Achievements and Royal Service

    Le Brun's career reached its peak during the reign of Louis XIV, who appointed him First Painter to the King in 1664. This position granted him immense influence over French art.

    He played a crucial role in decorating the Palace of Versailles, creating iconic works such as the Ambassadors’ Staircase, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Peace and War Rooms. These projects cemented his reputation as a master decorator and designer.

    Le Brun was also responsible for designing many statues in the gardens of Versailles, demonstrating his versatility across various artistic disciplines.

    He founded the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture (Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture) in 1648, solidifying his position as a leader within the French art world. He served as its director for many years.

    Legacy and Historical Significance

    Charles Le Brun's influence on French art was profound. His work helped define the Baroque style in France and established him as one of the most important artists of his time.

    As a theorist, he emphasized the importance of intellectual engagement over mere visual appeal, shaping artistic education for generations to come.

    His decorative schemes at Versailles set a standard for royal palaces throughout Europe.

    Le Brun's legacy extends beyond his individual works; he played a vital role in establishing and promoting French art on an international stage.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Self-portrait

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/charles-le-brun-self-portrait-8DP55S-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Brun, Charles Le. Self-portrait. n.d., https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/charles-le-brun-self-portrait-8DP55S-en/
    APA
    Brun, Charles Le (n.d.). Self-portrait [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/charles-le-brun-self-portrait-8DP55S-en/
    Chicago
    Charles Le Brun. Self-portrait. n.d. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/charles-le-brun-self-portrait-8DP55S-en/
    Harvard
    Brun, Charles Le (n.d.) Self-portrait. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/charles-le-brun-self-portrait-8DP55S-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 30, 2026

    Self-portrait — Charles Le Brun Part 3 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Self-portrait — Charles Le Brun

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. How many faces can you find? ____ (our catalogue counts 1 — do you agree?)
    4. Our catalogue files this work under: baroque portrait, 17th century france, chiaroscuro lighting. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    5. Look back at The Triumph of Faith (1658), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 30, 2026

    Self-portrait — Charles Le Brun Part 4 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    Can I order an oil reproduction of "Self-portrait"?

    "Self-portrait" is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction on linen canvas. The order can be placed on its Hand-Painted Reproduction page, with a choice of sizes.

    Where does "Self-portrait" sit within Charles Le Brun's body of work?

    "Self-portrait" shares with Charles Le Brun's other works its Baroque style and the recorded themes: baroque grandeur, carracci influence, 17th-century parisian society, wealth & status symbolism, portraiture's formal tradition, le brun's refined realism, exploring aristocratic identity, part of a prolific portrait series.

    What is "Self-portrait" about?

    The subjects of "Self-portrait" are baroque portrait, 17th century france, chiaroscuro lighting, rich fabrics detail, formal attire art, portraiture subject, opulent style art.