Self Portrait, 1977-1978
Self PortraitCategory: Paintings
Artist: Maggi Hambling
Subject: Self Portraits
Year of Work: 1977-1978
Media: oil on canvas
Size: 59.80" x 68.90"
National Portrait Gallery, London. 152 x 175 cm
The painting was done in autumn: leaves are falling into the top and out of the bottom. The nude in the bottom right corner was based on a current lover. In the top left corner is a portrait from memory of a man Hambling had observed doing card tricks in order that people might buy him drinks in a local pub. The tomato was the sole product of the carefully-nurtured plant Hambling had in the studio. Three hands were necessary, for the brush, the cigarette and the drink. Onde, the cat, did not sit still, so her tail appears in three positions.
For further details about this self-portrait see, 'Maggi Hambling, the Works' by Andrew Lambirth, book available from this website. See publications page.

