Self Portrait

Self-Portrait 1917 oil on canvas by William Rothenstein (1872-1945).

In this half-length self portrait of Rothenstein, he is approaching middle age, facing left, a paintbrush in his left hand and palette in his right as he stands at his easel. His face is turned towards the viewer as he glances over his shoulder, his features viewed in full. He wears a blue jacket, white shirt and cravat and a yellow starw hat.

Rothenstein established his reputation as a portrait painter and produced this dazzling self-portrait in full daylight at his Gloucestershire home. He is represented by fifteen works in the Tullie House collection.

Rothenstein was also a respected teacher and writer. He held various positions in the arts including Trustee of the Tate Gallery 1927-33 and Principal of the Royal College of Art 1920-35. He received a Knighthood in 1931. He played a major role in the development of the Tullie House art collection.  As first honorary Advisor to the Purchase Scheme he purchased eighty-four works in total, the most bought by any Advisor. Although Rothenstein’s taste was conservative rather than modern he acquired some of the most significant twentieth-century works in the entire Tullie House art collection. Gordon Bottomley’s close friendship with Rothenstein undoubtedly influenced Bottomley’s decision to bequeath his important art collection to Carlisle in 1949.

“I was asked by friends of the Carlisle Gallery what my terms would be for buying pictures for them. If I were allowed to buy works of little-known men, then of course, I would need no remuneration. A yearly sum of £100 was placed at my disposal. With this modest sum I was able to purchase works by promising young artists; later an extra £100 was voted by the City Council.  During the half-dozen years I have acted for the Carlisle Gallery I have got together the nucleus of a good collection, at no great cost to the City of Carlisle.”
William Rothenstein