28 Iconic Artists Who Immortalized Themselves Through Famous Self-Portraits

Throughout the course of art history, self-portraiture has remained a tried and true practice among leading artists.

See our selection of 28 well-known artists' most famous self-portraits below.

The painting now belongs to theAlte Pinakothek Museumin Munich, Germany.

The piece now permanently resides in Turin’sRoyal Library.

Rendered in 1660, the oil painting is now part of theMetropolitan Museum of Arts permanent collection.

Today, this iconic self-portrayal is part of a private collection.

Albrecht Dürer, “Self-Portrait at 28,” oil on panel, 1500 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

This oil painting is housed in a private collection.

Though his collection of such portrayals features many iconic works,Self-Portrait with Bandaged Earis perhaps his most famous.

Today, you might gaze upon the well-known work in London’sCourtauld Gallery.

Leonardo da Vinci, “Portrait of a Man in Red Chalk,” red chalk on paper, c. 1512 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Sometimes, as in the case ofSelf-Portrait, he even depicted himself.

In later reproductions, Munch even opted to black both out the skeletal arm and his signature.

Today, authentic prints of this piece can be found in numerous collections, including theBritish Museum.

Rembrandt, “Self-portrait,” oil on canvas, 1660 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain {PD-US-expired})

This painting is currently housed by Prague’sNarodni Gallery.

Still,SelfPortrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbirdfrom 1940 remains one of her most prized portrayals.

This iconic work can be found in the Nickolas Muray Collection at the University of Texas.

Gustave Courbet, “The Desperate Man,” oil on canvas, c. 1843 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain {PD-US-expired})

Given its ambiguous appearance, one may wonder how such a face represents the artist.

However, look closely and you’ll spot Dali’s iconic, upturned mustache.

Today, this surreal self-portrait calls Catalonia’sDali Theatre-Museumits home.

Claude Monet, “Self-portrait in Beret,” oil on canvas, 1886 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain {PD-US-expired})

This piece now belongs to theMetropolitan Museum of Artin New York City.

Norman Rockwell

American artist and illustratorNorman Rockwellis known for his delightful collection ofSaturday Evening Postcovers.

The original oil painting of this cover can be found in theNorman Rockwell Museumin Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Paul Gauguin, “Self-Portrait with Halo,” oil on panel, 1889 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain {PD-US-expired})

Among his most famous works of art are his multi-colored, repeated silkscreen portraits.

This portrait belongs to theMuseum of Modern Artin New York City.

Chuck Close

AmericanphotorealistChuck Closegained prominence with his large-scalephotographic portraits.

Vincent van Gogh, “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear,” oil on canvas, 1889 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain {PD-US-expired})

In his aptly-titledBig Self-Portraitfrom 1968, the artist presents a realistically rendered acrylic painting of himself.

Theres no question, Close states, I had some attitude about the way I wanted to be perceived.

Today, this piece is housed by theWalker Art Centerin Minneapolis.

Paul Cézanne, “Self-Portrait,” oil on canvas, 1878-1880 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

In 2011, a print of this piece was purchased at auction for a record $3.89 million.

Like much of the artist’s work, this portrait is now housed in a private collection.

Haring put aPop Art spinongraffiti, as evident in his untitled self-portrait from 1985.

Edvard Munch, “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear,” lithograph, 1895 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Conveying a cartoon-like aesthetic and playful style, this portrait embodies Haring’s graphic approach to iconography.

This piece is now part of a private collection.

Reflectionbelongs to a private collection.

Gerhard Richter

The comprehensive portfolio of German artistGerhard Richteris esteemed for its wide range of styles.

This piece is part of the Flowerman Collection.

However, in addition to her 3-dimensional creations, the artist also produced paintings, drawings, and prints.

This feline-themed self-portrait now resides in a private collection.

Yayoi Kusama

Japanese creativeYayoi Kusamais one of the most sought-aftercontemporary artists.

This piece is housed in a private collection.

See some of these sneaky self-portraits below.

On the surface, the piece feels like a simple double portrait.

This painting can be found inLondon’s National Gallery.

He can be seen staring straight at the viewer as he stands next to Ptolemy.

Thisfrescois located in theApostolic Palacein Vatican City.

One noteworthy figure is St. Bartholomew, whoas in many Christian depictionsis seen holding his own skin.

The Last Judgmentis in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.

Velazquez has cleverly placed himself behind the Infanta Margarita and her handmaids, all dressed in elaborate costumes.

He is shown standing at his easel with his palette and brushes in hand.

Las Meninasis part of theMuseo Nacional del Prados permanent collection.

He can be seen walking with Gabriel Tapie de Celeyran, his cousin and doctor.

This painting can be found at theArt Institute of Chicago.

Jan van Eyck, “The Arnolfini Portrait,” oil on panel, 1434 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Jan van Eyck, “The Arnolfini Portrait,” oil on panel, 1434 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Raphael, “The School of Athens,” fresco, 1509-1511 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Raphael, “The School of Athens,” fresco, 1509-1511 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Michelangelo, “The Last Judgment,” fresco, 1536-1541 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain {PD-US-expired})

Michelangelo, “The Last Judgment,” fresco, 1536-1541 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain {PD-US-expired})

Diego Velázquez, “Las Meninas,” oil on canvas, 1656-7 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain {PD-US-expired})

Diego Velázquez, detail of “Las Meninas,” oil on canvas, 1656-7 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain {PD-US-expired})

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, “At the Moulin Rouge,” oil on canvas, 1892-5 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, detail of “At the Moulin Rouge,” oil on canvas, 1892-5 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)