Van Gogh Museum - Self-Portrait in the Studio

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Self-Portrait in the Studio, 1883

Jan Toorop (1858-1928)

Oil on Panel, 50 x 36 cm
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

Jan Toorop gazes mistrustfully from beneath his wide-brimmed hat. His eyes are obscured by the shadow of the brim, which makes him seem even more reserved. The artist is seated at a table in his studio, working on a watercolour. A broken plate serves as a palette. In portraying himself in this fashion, dressed ‘artistically’ and seated in the untidy studio, Toorop emphasised his role as a non-conformist bohemian artist. He confirmed this image in 1885 when he jointed the Belgian avant-garde circle of artists Les XX(Les Vingt).

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Many styles and techniques

Toorop used many styles and techniques during his career as a painter. Initially, he employed elements from Realism, Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism. From around 1890 he began to produce works in a more Symbolist style, drawing his inspiration from music, literature and the visual arts of various ages and cultures. Toorop was also influenced by his contemporaries, including Vincent van Gogh. In 1892 he organised the first Van Gogh exhibition to be held in the Netherlands.