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Student Artwork Guide

Self-portrait

Name Class Date

Lucas van Leyden, Self-portrait (1509). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Lucas van Leyden originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/lucas-van-leyden/
Artist’s dates
1494 – 1533
Painted
1509
Original size
29 x 22 cm

In context

Self-portrait — Lucas van Leyden

How big is it?

The original measures 29 × 22 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1490
  2. 1500
  3. 1510
  4. 1520
  5. 1530

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 39 at death.

Painted when the artist was 15. The artist lived to 39. 3 of the 32 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Lucas van Leyden (1494–1533) ▲ this work, 1509 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1510 Main working years: 1510–1525 Late works: from 1525

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

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/lucas-van-leyden-self-portrait-8XZPGL-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Rosy Brown #cbab87

    Catalogued palette

    • #CBAB87
    • #1C1F1C
    • #C0704C
    • #644836

    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
    Rosy Brown
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Balanced Soft 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 Lucas van Leyden over the last twelve months — 7 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 79.6%
    2. 2 Hong Kong 5.6%
    3. 3 France 3.7%
    4. 4 Georgia 3.7%
    5. 5 Singapore 3.7%
    6. 6 Germany 1.9%
    7. 7 United States of America 1.9%

    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 Lucas van Leyden

    1. 1 Lot and his Daughters, 1520 9.1%
    2. 2 The Triumph of Mordecai 6.1%
    3. 3 The Last Judgment (detail), 1527 4.5%
    4. 4 Milk-maid, 1510 4.5%
    5. 5 Soloman's Idolatry 4.5%
    6. 6 Saint Jerome in His Study 4.5%
    7. 7 Fortune-Teller with a Fool, 1508 3.0%
    8. 8 The Temptation of St Anthony, 1530 3.0%
    9. 9 Card Players, 1525 3.0%
    10. 10 Susanna and the Elders, 1508 3.0%
    11. 11 Worshipping of the Golden Calf 1 3.0%
    12. 12 The Card Players 2 3.0%
    13. 13 Spes (Hope) 3.0%
    14. 14 Joseph Interpreting the Dreams in Prison 1 3.0%
    15. 15 The Story of Adam and Eve, The First Prohibition 3.0%
    16. 16 The Milkmaid, 1510 1.5%
    17. 17 Saint Paul 1.5%
    18. 18 The Game of Chess, 1508 1.5%
    19. 19 Virgil Suspended in a Basket, 1525 1.5%
    20. — Self-portrait, 1509 this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 66.2% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 107 works by this artist, of which 41 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. 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.

    About this artwork

    Self-portrait — Lucas van Leyden

    The Self-portrait by Lucas Van Leyden is a captivating oil painting that showcases the artist's exceptional skill and attention to detail. Created in 1509, this masterpiece measures 29 x 22 cm and is currently housed at the Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum in Braunschweig, Germany.

    Artistic Style and Technique

    The painting exemplifies the Northern Renaissance style, characterized by its emphasis on realism and attention to detail. Lucas Van Leyden's use of light and shadow is particularly noteworthy, as it adds depth and dimension to the portrait. The artist's ability to capture the subtleties of facial expressions and textures is a testament to his mastery of the medium.

    Some notable works by Lucas Van Leyden include St. Bartholomew and Saint Paul, which can be found on /art/list/?Filter=8CABVU-Lucas-Van-Leyden-St-Bartholomew and /art/list/?Filter=8CABVM-Lucas-Van-Leyden-Saint-Paul.

    Importance of Light in Painting

    The role of light in painting is a crucial aspect of artistic composition, as discussed on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_in_painting. It not only affects the visual representation of the subject but also contributes to the overall mood and atmosphere of the piece. In the case of the Self-portrait, the use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's attention to the subject's face.

    Key aspects of the painting include:

    The artist's masterful use of chiaroscuro to create a sense of depth and dimension

    The attention to detail in the rendering of facial features and textures

    The significance of light in creating a captivating and realistic portrait

    The Self-portrait by Lucas Van Leyden is a remarkable example of Northern Renaissance art, showcasing the artist's exceptional skill and attention to detail. As seen on https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/Lucas-Van-Leyden, Lucas Van Leyden was a renowned Dutch engraver and painter, and this painting is a testament to his artistic genius.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Lucas van Leyden

    Born in Leiden, Netherlands

    early life and training

    lucas van leyden, a dutch painter and printmaker, was born in 1494 in leiden, netherlands. he was the son of huygh jacobsz, a painter, and began his artistic training under his father's guidance. later, he joined the workshop of cornelis engelbrechtsz in 1508, where he refined his skills.

    artistic development

    lucas van leyden was among the first dutch exponents of genre painting and a highly accomplished engraver. his early work, characterized by half-length figures (c. 1506-1512), showcases his precocious originality. as he matured, his landscapes developed, and he became skilled in engraving at a remarkably young age. the earliest known print by him, mohammed and the murdered monk (1508), demonstrates his mastery of the medium.

    notable works and style

    seventeen paintings surely attributed to lucas van leyden survive, including:

    the healing of the blind man of jericho, a masterpiece showcasing multiple figures against wooded landscapes.

    saint paul, attr. leyden, exemplifying his engraving prowess.

    the milkmaid (engraving, 1510), highlighting his early skill in the medium.

    his style is characterized by fresh colors and a sense of aérienne perspective, already appreciated by albrecht dürer.

    museum collections and online presence

    lucas van leyden's works can be found in various museums, including the van gogh museum (netherlands), which houses an extensive collection of his engravings and paintings. online platforms like AllPaintingsStore.com offer a comprehensive selection of his works, allowing art enthusiasts to explore his oeuvre in detail.

    legacy

    lucas van leyden's contributions to dutch genre painting and engraving are undeniable. his innovative style and technical skill have made him a celebrated figure in the art world. as a pioneer of dutch art, his legacy continues to inspire artists and art lovers alike.

    view lucas van leyden's artworks on AllPaintingsStore.com

    explore the van gogh museum (netherlands) collection online

    discover more about dutch art and its pioneers on AllPaintingsStore.com's blog

    experience the world of art with AllPaintingsStore.com, where you can find an extensive collection of artworks, including those by lucas van leyden.

    Where to read more

    • The artist Lucas van Leyden originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/lucas-van-leyden/
    • Similar works More works to compare originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/lucas-van-leyden-self-portrait-8XZPGL-en/

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Self-portrait

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/lucas-van-leyden-self-portrait-8XZPGL-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Leyden, Lucas van. Self-portrait. 1509, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/lucas-van-leyden-self-portrait-8XZPGL-en/
    APA
    Leyden, Lucas van (1509). Self-portrait [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/lucas-van-leyden-self-portrait-8XZPGL-en/
    Chicago
    Lucas van Leyden. Self-portrait. 1509. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/lucas-van-leyden-self-portrait-8XZPGL-en/
    Harvard
    Leyden, Lucas van (1509) Self-portrait. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/lucas-van-leyden-self-portrait-8XZPGL-en/

    Look closely

    Self-portrait — Lucas van Leyden

    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. Our catalogue files this work under: portraits. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at The Temptation of St Anthony (1530), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Lucas van Leyden was about 15 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?

    Your response

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

    Questions & Answers

    At what age did Lucas van Leyden make "Self-portrait"?

    Lucas van Leyden made "Self-portrait" at the age of 15. The artist was born in 1494 and the work is dated 1509.

    Can I see "Self-portrait" by Lucas van Leyden under different lights?

    The X-Ray page of "Self-portrait" by Lucas van Leyden is an interactive viewer that lets you slide through eleven optical layers of the artwork's image, including an X-ray style view.

    Who sells hand-painted copies of "Self-portrait" by Lucas van Leyden?

    "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.