Hilding Werner - Self-Portrait, 1920

Hilding Werner (1880-1944) Sweden

Self-Portrait, 1920

oil on canvas
signed with monogram and dated
unframed: 37 x 32 cm (c. 14.6 x 12.6 inches)
framed: 47 x 42 cm (c. 18.5 x 16.5 inches)
written on the back of the canvas:
(Hilding Werner: Study for Self-Portrait, Stömne, Aug, 1920)

Provenance: 
Acquired from the artist by Ralph Almark.

Condition: 
Recently restored by a professional art conservator in Stockholm. Ready to hang. 

Essay:
This striking self-portrait by Hilding Werner, painted in August 1920, captures the artist’s contemplative gaze against a deep green background. The expression on his face is one of intensity and introspection, as though he is reflecting on the serious times in which he lived. With a crisp, white collar that stands out against the darker tones of his attire, Werner presents himself with a restrained dignity. His somber expression invites the viewer to ponder his thoughts, suggesting the weight of responsibility and reflection in a turbulent era.

Hilding Werner (1880–1944) was a Swedish painter and illustrator born in Kårud, Värmland. He pursued his art studies at Caleb Althin's painting school in Stockholm and supported himself as a caricature artist for Nya Nisse. His connection with fellow artist Bror Lindh introduced him to prominent figures in Swedish art, including Richard Bergh, which led him to study at the Artists' Association’s painting school. Werner’s only study trip abroad took him to the Netherlands in 1905, after which he settled in Värmland, establishing a studio in Stömne in 1907.

A member of the artist collective De Frie, Werner exhibited with the Värmland Art Association and participated in group exhibitions throughout Sweden. Although he never held a solo exhibition during his lifetime, his legacy was commemorated with a retrospective at the Värmland Museum in 1946. Influenced by artists like Gustaf Fjæstad and Otto Hesselbom, Werner’s work combines romanticism with realism, often portraying the landscapes of Värmland. His oeuvre includes portraits, landscapes, and caricatures, each marked by a quiet yet profound dedication to his craft.

This self-portrait stands as a testament to Werner’s seriousness as an artist and the depth of his self-awareness, offering a rare, intimate glimpse into his character.