Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Charles Keene died in 1891; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1961.
In context
Self-Portrait — Charles Keene
The original measures 19 × 29 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 68 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of Charles Keene (1823–1891) every dated painting, decade by decade
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
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More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/self-portrait-by-charles-keene/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Espresso #3f3a26
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
Artist and museum
Born in Hornsey, United Kingdom
Born in Hornsey, United Kingdom, Charles Keene was an English artist and illustrator who specialized in black and white works. After showing early artistic leanings during his education at the Ipswich School, he moved from a legal apprenticeship to the office of an architect. During this time, he spent his spare time drawing historical and nautical subjects in watercolor. His talent eventually led to an apprenticeship with the Whympers, the wood-engravers, where he trained for five years. His earliest known design was a frontispiece for The Adventures of Dick Boldhero in Search of his Uncle, &c. in 1842.
Keene's professional journey saw him working for the Illustrated London News and eventually securing a seat at the famous table of Punch magazine, where he appeared in 1851. He was also a member of the Artists Society in Clipstone Street and the Arts Club in Hanover Square. Beyond his illustrations, he was a skilled etcher and a performer of music, particularly the bagpipes.
Keene was recognized as an artist's artist, noted for his ability to draw models exactly as he saw them rather than conforming to public expectations. His work in Punch often drew inspiration from the humorous incidents observed by Joseph Crawhall. His technique was characterized by a mastery of pen and ink, and he was also highly regarded as an etcher, producing plates that were considered among the first rank of modern etchings.
In his later years, Keene resided in Chelsea and worked in Hammersmith. Despite facing health challenges such as dyspepsia and rheumatism toward the end of his life, he continued to work. He died in London, leaving behind a body of work that included:
artsdot.com/en/art/download/self-portrait-by-charles-keene/
Look closely
Self-Portrait — Charles Keene
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A Stats page exists for "Self-Portrait". It charts the monthly visits of the artwork and of the artist's other works, with country and language breakdowns.
The colors of "Self-Portrait" by Charles Keene show a subtle color saturation with a monochromatic intensity.
The recorded dimensions of "Self-Portrait" by Charles Keene are 19.4 x 28.9cm. Reproductions can be ordered in other sizes while keeping the same proportions.