Self-Portrait with Cupid and Death by Hans Thoma. A bearded artist holding a paintbrush is flanked by a crowned skull and a winged cupid, set against dark foliage and a blue sky.

Self-Portrait with Cupid and Death

Hans Thoma

1875 · Oil Paint, Canvas

An intriguing 19th-century allegorical self-portrait exploring themes of love, life, and mortality.

$129

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5 frame sizes

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Where it works

A grounded artwork with confident presence with softened warm notes — supports a polished room with depth.

Often works in
Library · Study · Office
Placement
Strongest where a vertical wall can take more presence
Walls
Benefits from light or mid-tone surroundings
Color notes
Charcoal black, Rich brown, Terracotta clay

About the piece

Painted in 1875, Hans Thoma’s self-portrait is a rich memento mori, featuring the artist with a paintbrush in hand, accompanied by the contrasting figures of Cupid and Death. The masterful oil technique captures the textures of the forest background and the distant landscape, creating a profound and decorative statement piece for a library or study.

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