Self-portrait
Vincent van Gogh · 1889
Why it's great
Van Gogh looks out with intense green-blue eyes against a background of swirling blue waves, wearing a blue coat. He painted several self-portraits, partly because he could not afford models. This one was made in 1889 after leaving hospital. It's one of the best-known self-portraits in the world.
Where to see it
📍 Musée d'OrsayParis, France
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Vincent van Gogh was born in a small village in the Netherlands and worked as a teacher and art dealer before becoming a painter at age 27. He lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paris, and finally the sunny south of France, where his colors grew brighter and bolder. He painted more than 800 paintings in about a decade, yet sold almost none while alive. After his death at 37, his brother's family helped make him one of the most loved artists in history.
