Self-Portrait
- Date
- 1834–35
- Material
- Oil on canvas
- made in
- Columbia, Missouri, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Paintings
- Collection
- American Art
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 337
- Dimensions
- 28 3/8 x 22 11/16 in. (72.1 x 57.6 cm)
framed: 33 1/2 x 28 x 2 3/4 in. (85.1 x 71.1 x 7 cm) - Credit Line
- Eliza McMillan Trust
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 57:1934
NOTES
The fine handling of line and paint in this self-portrait are remarkable achievements for a young 23-year-old artist. Missourian George Caleb Bingham had no formal training or substantial exposure to fine art at this point in his career. Bingham omits the expected symbols that would assert his artist identity, such as a palette or brushes. Instead, he presents himself in a straightforward style as one of the many rising middle-class entrepreneurs in Missouri, then considered the country's far west. This presentation is appropriate, given that Bingham was in many respects as much a self-made artist as his western patrons were self-made businessmen.
Provenance
by 1888 - 1934
Major James Sidney Rollins (1812-1888), Columbia, MO; George Bingham Rollins (1851-1915), Columbia, MO, by inheritance [1]
1934 -
Saint Louis Art Musuem, purchased from the estate of George Bingham Rollins [2]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is Bloch's catalogue raisonné, the 1986 edition, cat. no. 385 [Bloch, E. Maurice. "The Paintings of George Caleb Bingham: A Catalogue Raisonné." Columbia, MO, University of Missouri Press, 1986]. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[1] James Sidney Rollins most likely acquired the painting from his good friend George Caleb Bingham or Bingham's family.
[2] Bill of sale dated November 7, 1934 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control, December 6, 1934.
Major James Sidney Rollins (1812-1888), Columbia, MO; George Bingham Rollins (1851-1915), Columbia, MO, by inheritance [1]
1934 -
Saint Louis Art Musuem, purchased from the estate of George Bingham Rollins [2]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is Bloch's catalogue raisonné, the 1986 edition, cat. no. 385 [Bloch, E. Maurice. "The Paintings of George Caleb Bingham: A Catalogue Raisonné." Columbia, MO, University of Missouri Press, 1986]. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[1] James Sidney Rollins most likely acquired the painting from his good friend George Caleb Bingham or Bingham's family.
[2] Bill of sale dated November 7, 1934 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control, December 6, 1934.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.