“This self-portrait offers a direct, intimate look at the artist Valdemar Irminger, captured in a moment of quiet contemplation, with a realism that draws you into his gaze.”
In this self-portrait from 1883, Valdemar Irminger presents himself with a direct, unvarnished gaze. He appears to be in his early thirties, his face framed by dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard. The artist’s expression is serious, almost contemplative, suggesting an intimate moment of self-reflection rather than a formal presentation. The brushwork, particularly in the face, is confident and visible, allowing the viewer to appreciate the texture and layers of paint that build his features. The muted tones of his clothing and the background ensure that the focus remains entirely on his face, drawing attention to his eyes, which engage the viewer with quiet intensity. This painting captures a sense of realism, typical of the period, yet it also conveys a personal introspection that transcends a simple likeness.
- Artist
- Valdemar Irminger
- Date
- 1883
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The direct, unwavering gaze of the artist.
Visible brushstrokes, especially in the face and hair.
The subtle modeling of light and shadow on his forehead.
The dark, simple background that emphasizes the figure.
Stand in front of it and listen
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Valdemar Irminger
1850–1938 · Kingdom of DenmarkIrminger painted children at a Danish hospital with such tenderness that the works won him back-to-back Academy medals in 1888 and 1889.
Further Works by Irminger
Landscape with a red deer stag and two hinds.
1869
All Saints' Day. A widower in a cemetary for the poor in Rome.
1886 · Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg
A roaring lion in the Colosseum.
1886
From the Old Colosseum
1888 · ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum
En tilgivelse
1892 · Statens Museum for Kunst
Over midnat
1894 · Statens Museum for Kunst
The girl and the kitten.
1895
Dameportræt
1896 · Statens Museum for Kunst
More works to explore
Beyond Irminger: works from the same years.
Same era · 1860s–1890s
Cart with Black Ox
Vincent van Gogh · 1884 · Portland Art Museum
Same era · 1860s–1890s
Madame Léon Clapisson
Léon-Victor Dupré · 1883 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1860s–1890s
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884
Okada Saburosuke · 1884 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1860s–1890s
Paris Street; Rainy Day
Kawabata Gyokushō · 1877 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1860s–1890s
Lucie Berard (Child in White)
Pierre-Auguste Renoir · 1883 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1860s–1890s
Scene at Napanoch
William Hart · 1883 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1860s–1890s
Young Woman Knitting
Berthe Morisot · 1883 · Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1860s–1890s
An Orchard under the Church of Bihorel
Paul Gauguin · 1884 · Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Same era · 1860s–1890s
Cliff Walk at Pourville
Claude Monet · 1882 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1860s–1890s
Woman and Child at the Well
Camille Pissarro · 1882 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1860s–1890s
Potted Plant
Edvard Munch · 1881 · Munch Museum
Same era · 1860s–1890s
Café Singer
Edgar Degas · 1879 · Art Institute of Chicago
