
- 164.0 x 122.0 cm
Collectible Description
Experience David Bailly's 'Self-Portrait' (1625), a captivating Baroque masterpiece showcasing the artist’s realism and introspective nature. Explore its vanitas symbolism & rich details of 17th-century Dutch art.
Artist Biography
David Bailly (1584-1657): Dutch Golden Age painter of realistic portraits, still lifes & poignant vanitas works exploring life's transience. Explore his art!
Hand Made Oil Reproduction
Hand-painted oil on canvas in your size and frame, made to order by our artists. ( Switch to Print
Switch to Digital Image)
More about this painting
Order your painting in four simple steps
Take your time. You can change any answer; the price in your order card follows each choice.
1 Step one of four
Which size would you like?
These sizes keep the proportions of the original painting. The drawing shows your choice on a wall, above a two-metre sofa.
Or give your own measurements
Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.
Type the width and the height you need, to fit your frame or your wall. This is hand-painted, so for a size with a different shape the artist can paint a bit more around the picture, or cut a bit — you choose. We send you a digital mockup to approve before the painting starts. The picture shown on this page does not show the real result — only the mockup does.
2 Step two of four
How should it be prepared: rolled, stretched or framed?
The prices below are for the size you chose in step one.
Choose the edges of the stretched canvas
Choose your frame
White $1
Blurside $1
Extended $1
P118B $10
P118H $10
P118W $10
P438Z $10
P508JH $12
P508YH $12
P805H $10
P805Z $10
P919BZ $10
P919G $10
P919XJ $10
P959ZH $10
P968JZ $12
W106C $8
W218G $10
W218JH $8
W218Y $10
W307PJ $10
W316G $10
W316PJ $8
W316Y $10
W398PJ $8
W4111J $10
W500HY $15
W500JH $15
W692G $12
W849H $8
W940BG $15
W953PJ $8
H24-GOLD $30
H24-SILVER $30
H36-GOLD $45
H36-SILVER $45
Framed
Moulding: . Overall size with the frame: .
3 Step three of four
Would you like anything changed in the painting?
Most people answer no. Because each painting is made by hand, our artist can also adapt it for you.
After order, ArtsDot.com team will email client for instructions and provide a mockup preview
4 Step four of four
A few finishing options
All of them are optional. The answers already selected cost nothing extra.
Who paints it?
Worldwide Delivery () in 3/4 weeks instead of standard 5 weeks. (16 November). No compromise on quality.
A nameplate, as in a museum?
Engraved Bronze Plaque Details
This elegant plaque features the artist's name and the title of the artwork, finely engraved for a timeless presentation.
It is made from bronze with a refined, elegant finish. The text is precisely laser-engraved for a sharp and permanent result. Measuring 9x2 cm, the plaque is compact yet easy to read. It's built to be durable and scratch-resistant, offering a professional, museum-quality look. Mounting is simple thanks to the included adhesive backing.
Transparent Acrylic Plaque Details
The plaque includes essential engraved details such as the artist's name, the title of the artwork, the date it was created, the type of media used-like oil on canvas or watercolor-a brief description of the piece, and a QR code that links to the complete artwork information.
It is crafted from clear acrylic, offering a sleek, modern appearance. The text is UV-engraved in black to ensure strong visual contrast. With a size of 10x15 cm, it ensures optimal readability. It comes equipped with two metal hooks for secure wall mounting. The plaque is designed to be weather-resistant, making it suitable for various environments, and it includes interactive features that work seamlessly with smartphone scanning.
Black Acrylic Plaque Details
This elegant plaque includes engraved information such as the artist's name, the title of the artwork, the date it was created, the type of media used (like oil on canvas or watercolor), a short description of the artwork, and a QR code for quick access to more information.
The plaque itself is made from refined black acrylic with a premium finish. The text is laser-engraved in white for high contrast and readability. Its size is 10x15 cm, designed to be easy to read. It comes with two metal hooks for professional mounting. The design is sleek and fits any interior style. It is also weather-resistant and durable, with built-in digital integration for mobile compatibility.
A protective varnish?
When do you need it?
✓ Check and order
Your painting, as you ordered it
Self-Portrait
Reproduction Medium
Reproduction Size
-
Elite Senior Artist
More detail, finesse, and extra production time
-
Reproduction Frame
-
-
For artworks or reproductions larger than 105 cm (approximately 41 inches) on any side, the frame will be shipped as a kit, disassembled. This method ensures safe delivery and prevents damage during transport.
Professional assembly required - this is not a DIY product.
The kit must be assembled and the canvas stretched by an experienced professional framer, using wood glue (not supplied), a canvas stretching plier and clamps to hold the bars square while the glue dries. Incorrect assembly or uneven canvas tension can permanently damage the artwork and is not covered by our warranty.
All solid wood bars are included, precisely cut to size.
Assembled with the screws provided, plus wood glue for the corner joints, which is not supplied and must be sourced by your framer.
Professional tools are required and not included: a canvas stretching plier (tensioner) and clamps to hold the bars square while the glue dries.
Important:
The corner joints require wood glue, the bars must be held with clamps until the glue is fully dry, and tightening the canvas on the assembled frame requires a canvas stretching plier. None of these are included in the kit. Please arrange an experienced professional framer before ordering this size.
Nameplate
-
-
Protective Varnish
Glossy Varnish (enhances colors, protects against light/moisture)
-
Customize My Artwork
Examples of what can be changed: Replace face with customer photo; Add pet (e.g., replace cat with dog); Include hidden message in background; Change background landscape or elements.
-
Urgent
Worldwide Delivery () in 3/4 weeks instead of standard 5 weeks. (16 November). No compromise on quality.
-
Express Shipping
Worldwide Delivery () in 5 weeks. (23 November).
Included
Total Price
$ 263
Included with every order
- Free Worldwide Express Shipping
- High-Quality Linen Canvas
- Full Shipping Insurance
- Customs Tax Refund Guarantee
- True Color Matching Guarantee
- 100-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)
- 100% Money-Back Guarantee
- Bulk Discount Offer
A Gaze Through Time: The Introspective Mastery of David Bailly
In the quiet, shadowed depths of the Dutch Golden Age, few works capture the profound weight of human existence as poignantly as David Bailly’s Self-Portrait. Painted in 1625, this masterpiece serves as more than a mere likeness; it is a window into the soul of a man navigating the complexities of his own mortality and legacy. As the viewer approaches this canvas, they are met with an arresting, direct gaze that seems to bridge the centuries, pulling us into a silent dialogue with the artist himself. The composition is masterfully balanced, centering a middle-aged Bailly against a dark, indeterminate void that pushes his features forward, demanding our undivided attention.
The technique employed by Bailly is a testament to the rigorous training of the Leiden school. Through a sophisticated use of chiaroscuro, he orchestrates a dramatic interplay between light and shadow. A soft, directional light source from the upper left illuminates the contours of his face, highlighting the weathered texture of his skin and the thoughtful furrow of his brow. Every detail—from the crisp, white folds of his period collar to the meticulously rendered strands of his beard—is executed with a breathtaking realism that speaks to the artist's profound command over oil paint. This tactile quality does not merely replicate reality; it breathes life into the canvas, making the subject feel palpably present.
Symbolism and the Vanitas Tradition
Beyond its technical brilliance, the painting is steeped in the rich symbolic language of the 17th-century vanitas tradition. During this era, Dutch artists frequently used portraiture to meditate on the fleeting nature of life, the inevitability of death, and the vanity of earthly pursuits. In Bailly’s self-portrait, the somber palette of earth tones and the stark contrast of light against darkness evoke a sense of contemplative melancholy. The artist uses his own likeness as a vessel for these larger philosophical inquiries, inviting collectors and observers to reflect on the passage of time.
For the discerning art lover or interior designer, this piece offers a profound emotional resonance that transcends simple decoration. It is an artwork of substance, providing a focal point of intellectual and aesthetic depth. Whether placed in a curated gallery setting or as a commanding centerpiece in a sophisticated study, the Self-Portrait brings with it an atmosphere of timeless wisdom and quiet dignity. To possess a reproduction of this work is to invite a piece of history into one's space—a piece that celebrates the enduring power of human introspection and the exquisite artistry of the Dutch masters.
Questions & Answers
What size should I print "Self-Portrait" for my room?
In a living room, "Self-Portrait" is suggested at a large print size.
Is "Self-Portrait" typical of what David Bailly usually created?
Among David Bailly's recorded themes - dutch golden age realism, vanitas symbolism, baroque lighting techniques, introspective self-representation, 17th-century dutch culture - "Self-Portrait" brings its own focus on self-portrait, baroque, dutch golden age, realism, vanitas, man, introspection.
Which artist is "Self-Portrait" attributed to?
"Self-Portrait" is attributed to David Bailly.
Related Artworks
David Bailly
1584 - 1657, Netherlands
Artist Biography
David Bailly: A Life in Dutch Golden Age Art
Early Life and Training (1584-1608)
- Birth and Family: David Bailly was born in Leiden, Netherlands, in 1584. His father, Peter Bailly, was a Flemish immigrant who worked as a calligrapher and fencing master.
- Early Artistic Education: He initially received drawing instruction from his father and the copper engraver Jacques de Gheyn. This foundational training instilled in him a strong draftsmanship.
- Apprenticeships: Bailly further honed his skills through apprenticeships with Adriaan Verburg, a surgeon-painter in Leiden, and Cornelius van der Voort, a portrait painter in Amsterdam. These experiences exposed him to different artistic techniques and subject matter.
The Grand Tour and Early Career (1608-1613)
- Continental Travels: In the winter of 1608, Bailly embarked on a ‘Grand Tour,’ traveling through Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Augsburg, Hamburg, Tyrol, and Venice before reaching Rome. This journey was crucial for his artistic development.
- Italian Influence: He spent five months in Venice working as a journeyman, absorbing the influences of Italian Renaissance and Venetian art. His return voyage included commissions from German princes, including the Duke of Brunswick.
Artistic Development and Style (1613-1657)
- Diverse Subject Matter: Upon returning to the Netherlands in 1613, Bailly began painting a variety of subjects, including still lifes and portraits. He became known for his self-portraits and depictions of students and professors at the University of Leiden.
- Vanitas Paintings: A significant portion of his oeuvre consists of *vanitas* paintings – symbolic works that reflect on the transience of life, often featuring flowers, candles, and other ephemeral objects. These paintings demonstrate a philosophical depth alongside artistic skill.
- Portraiture Style: His portrait style is characterized by realism and attention to detail, capturing the likenesses and personalities of his sitters with sensitivity.
Major Achievements and Guild Membership
- Guild Leadership: In 1648, Bailly was elected headman of the Leiden Guild of St. Luke, a testament to his standing within the artistic community.
- Teaching Legacy: He served as a teacher and mentor to his nephews, Harmen and Pieter Steenwijck, passing on his knowledge and skills to the next generation.
Influences and Historical Significance
- Artistic Influences: Bailly was influenced by the Italian masters he encountered during his Grand Tour, as well as by Dutch predecessors in portraiture and still life painting.
- Impact on Dutch Art: He contributed to the flourishing of art during the Dutch Golden Age, particularly through his insightful *vanitas* paintings that reflected the era’s preoccupation with mortality and spirituality.
- Legacy: While not as widely recognized today as some of his contemporaries, David Bailly remains an important figure in the history of Dutch art, representing a blend of technical skill, intellectual depth, and artistic innovation.




For artworks or reproductions larger than 105 cm (approximately 41 inches) on any side, the frame will be shipped as a kit, disassembled. This method ensures safe delivery and prevents damage during transport.



