The museum record
The Metropolitan Museum of Art records this work as Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat (obverse: The Potato Peeler), by Vincent van Gogh. The object facts below come from the museum’s collection record. They describe the original object; a reproduction can have different dimensions.
| Detail | Museum record |
|---|---|
| Artist | Vincent van Gogh |
| Date | 1887 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Original dimensions | 16 x 12 1/2 in. (40.6 x 31.8 cm) |
| Collection | Bequest of Miss Adelaide Milton de Groot (1876-1967), 1967 |
Look at the composition
Look at the short marks around the hat, face and coat, then step back to see how they gather into a recognizable portrait. The surrounding background and clothing provide a setting for the face instead of simply disappearing around it. Compare the full image with a close view before choosing the scale that interests you.
The museum record identifies this side of the canvas as a self-portrait and also notes the work on its reverse. The image used here shows the portrait side. Keep that distinction in mind when opening the museum record, where additional views or object information may describe the same physical canvas.
Plan a reproduction
Begin with the full upright portrait and check the hat and coat at the edges of a proposed crop. A modest image with a broader mat can occupy a useful amount of wall space without requiring a large enlargement of the file.
Open the museum record for the available image and source details. Inspect the file you download, compare its actual proportions with your paper, and confirm the printer’s requirements before ordering a reproduction.
Image source
The Met currently identifies this object’s image as public domain and makes its Open Access images available under CC0. Follow the collection link to inspect the museum’s available image files and current object record.