Student Artwork Guide — Self portrait

6 parts 1 The artwork2 In context3 About this artwork4 Artist and museum5 Look closely6 Art quiz

Name Class Date

Giovanni Boldini, Self portrait (1911). Public domain.

The facts

Artist: Giovanni Boldini artsdot.com/en/artists/giovanni-boldini/
Artist’s dates: 1842 – 1931
Painted: 1911
Medium: Oil On Canvas
Movement: Impressionism Painters working fast and outdoors to catch how light actually looked at one moment, rather than finishing smoothly in a studio.
Period: 19th Century

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Giovanni Boldini died in 1931; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2001.

Self portrait — Giovanni Boldini

When was this painted?

1840
1850
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1910
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1930

Shaded: the lifetime of Giovanni Boldini (1842–1931) ▲ this work, 1911

Compare with

Consuelo, Duchess of Marlborough, with Her Son Ivor Spencer-Churchill, 1906 artsdot.com/en/art/giovanni-boldini-consuelo-duchess-of-marlborough-with-her-son-ivo-8BWQNJ-en/
Madame Charles Max, 1896 artsdot.com/en/art/giovanni-boldini-madame-charles-max-8YDEPW-en/
Cleo de Merode, 1901 artsdot.com/en/art/giovanni-boldini-cleo-de-merode-9GELGK-en/

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: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/giovanni-boldini-self-portrait-9GELL4-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

Phthalo Green #241515

Catalogued palette

#241515
#D4AE7D
#7E5129
#4D311F

Palette: Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
Main colour name: Phthalo Green
Intensity: Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Gentle 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: Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

Self portrait — Giovanni Boldini

Notes on this work

Written for this guide from published sources. The catalogue record itself is on the first part of this guide.

Artistic style: Elegant portraiture
Notable elements or techniques: Bold brushstrokes, mastery of light and shadow
Subject or theme: Self-portrait in an interior setting

The Self Portrait by Giovanni Boldini, created in 1911, is a masterpiece that embodies the essence of Impressionism. This painting is a prime example of the artist's skill and style, showcasing his ability to capture the fleeting moments of modern life. The Self Portrait is currently housed at the Galleria d'Arte Moderna di Palazzo Pitti in Italy.

Understanding the Artist's Style

Giovanni Boldini was a renowned Italian painter known for his elegant and sophisticated portraits. His work is characterized by bold brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and a sense of confidence that exudes from his subjects. The Self Portrait is no exception, featuring the artist himself dressed in a suit and tie, exuding an air of sophistication and elegance.

The painting is a testament to Giovanni Boldini's mastery of light and shadow, with the subject's face illuminated by a soft, gentle glow.

The background of the painting features a couch and a dining table, suggesting that the scene takes place in a living room or dining area.

The Self Portrait is signed by the artist, indicating his name and possibly the date of creation.

Purchasing a Handmade Oil Painting Reproduction

For art enthusiasts who appreciate the beauty of Giovanni Boldini's work, AllPaintingsStore.com offers handmade oil painting reproductions of the Self Portrait. These museum-quality replicas are created by skilled artists who use traditional techniques to capture the essence of the original painting. Visit Giovanni Boldini's page on AllPaintingsStore.com to learn more about his work and to purchase a handmade oil painting reproduction of the Self Portrait.

The Self Portrait by Giovanni Boldini is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire art lovers around the world. With its elegant and sophisticated style, it is a testament to the artist's skill and mastery of his craft. Whether you are an art enthusiast or simply appreciate the beauty of Impressionism, the Self Portrait is a must-see painting that will leave you in awe of its timeless elegance.

Self portrait — Giovanni Boldini

Artist

Giovanni Boldini

Born in Ferrara, Italy

A Master of Swish: The Life and Art of Giovanni Boldini

Giovanni Boldini, a name synonymous with the elegance and allure of the Belle Époque, was an Italian artist who carved his niche in Parisian society as a celebrated portraitist. Born on December 31, 1842, in Ferrara, Italy, Boldini’s artistic journey began under the guidance of his father, a painter specializing in religious subjects. This early exposure instilled in him a foundational understanding of technique and composition, yet it was his move to Florence in 1862 that truly ignited his creative spirit. There, he encountered the Macchiaioli—a group of Italian realist painters who foreshadowed Impressionism with their emphasis on light, color, and spontaneous execution. This encounter proved pivotal, influencing Boldini’s landscapes with a newfound vibrancy and responsiveness to nature. However, it was in capturing the essence of his subjects through portraiture that he would ultimately achieve lasting renown.

From Florence to Parisian Society

Boldini's artistic path led him first to London, where he quickly gained recognition for his portraits of prominent figures like Lady Holland and the Duchess of Westminster. This early success paved the way for his relocation to Paris in 1872—a city that would become both his home and his muse.

Where to read more

The artist Giovanni Boldini artsdot.com/en/artists/giovanni-boldini/
Similar works More works to compare artsdot.com/en/art/similar/giovanni-boldini-self-portrait-9GELL4-en/
Article Renoir's Masterpieces: Explore 25 Iconic Paintings & Bring Art Home artsdot.com/en/articles/renoir-s-masterpieces-explore-25-iconic-paintings-bring-art-home-en/
Article Impressionistic Landscapes: 10 Masterpieces That Changed Art & Decor artsdot.com/en/articles/impressionistic-landscapes-10-masterpieces-that-changed-art-decor-en/
Article Impressionist Landscapes: 10 Masterpieces for Your Home artsdot.com/en/articles/impressionist-landscapes-10-masterpieces-for-your-home-en/
Article The Elegance of Art Nouveau: Embracing Nature's Fluid Beauty and the Belle Époque Spirit artsdot.com/en/articles/ti-misc-the-elegance-of-art-nouveau-embracing-nature-s-fluid-beauty-and-the-belle-epoque-spirit-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for Self portrait

artsdot.com/en/art/download/giovanni-boldini-self-portrait-9GELL4-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: Boldini, Giovanni. Self portrait. 1911, https://artsdot.com/en/art/giovanni-boldini-self-portrait-9GELL4-en/
APA: Boldini, Giovanni (1911). Self portrait [Painting]. https://artsdot.com/en/art/giovanni-boldini-self-portrait-9GELL4-en/
Chicago: Giovanni Boldini. Self portrait. 1911. https://artsdot.com/en/art/giovanni-boldini-self-portrait-9GELL4-en/
Harvard: Boldini, Giovanni (1911) Self portrait. Available at: https://artsdot.com/en/art/giovanni-boldini-self-portrait-9GELL4-en/

Self portrait — Giovanni Boldini

Look closely

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

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
Our catalogue files this work under: self portrait, portraiture, italian art. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
Look back at Consuelo, Duchess of Marlborough, with Her Son Ivor Spencer-Churchill (1906), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
Impressionism: Painters working fast and outdoors to catch how light actually looked at one moment, rather than finishing smoothly in a studio. Where can you see that in this work?

Your response

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

Self portrait — Giovanni Boldini

How well do you know this artwork?

Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

1. What artistic movement is Giovanni Boldini's Self Portrait described as embodying?
- A Renaissance
- B Baroque
- C Impressionism
2. In what year was the Self Portrait by Giovanni Boldini created?
- A 1862
- B 1911
- C 1931
3. What is a characteristic element of Giovanni Boldini's style mentioned in the description?
- A Muted, somber tones
- B Bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors
- C Highly detailed mythological scenes
4. Where is the Self Portrait currently housed?
- A Uffizi Gallery, Florence
- B Galleria d'Arte Moderna di Palazzo Pitti in Italy
- C The Louvre Museum, Paris
5. What setting is suggested by the background elements (couch and dining table) in the painting?
- A An outdoor landscape
- B A living room or dining area
- C A formal studio portrait backdrop

My score: ____ out of 5

Answer key — for the teacher

This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

1B · 2A · 3A · 4A · 5A