Van Gogh self-portrait unveiled at National Museum in Cardiff

A Vincent van Gogh self-portrait has been unveiled in Cardiff as it goes on display in Wales for the first time.

The Dutch master's 1887 Portrait Of The Artist has been loaned from the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and will be on show at the National Museum in Cardiff.

It forms the centrepiece of an exhibition exploring whether such pieces are the original "selfies".

The collection also includes Rembrandt, Brenda Chamberlain, Frances Bacon, Bedwyr Williams and Anya Paintsil.

The works showcase different methods and artistic approaches to the concept of the self-portrait, used by artists throughout history to explore their identities and express themselves to the world.

Van Gogh, who lived from 1853 to 1890, painted more than 35 self-portraits and is arguably one of the most recognisable faces in Western art.

Dr Kath Davies, director of collections and research at Amgueddfa Cymru (Museum Wales) told the BBC: "It is really wonderful, Van Gogh is a superstar.

"Everybody knows he is one of the most recognised artists in the world and I think a lot of people have that connection to him."

"He only sold one painting in his lifetime and was so poor that he could not afford a model," she said.

"So, in order to practice, he painted self-portraits using a mirror and developed his skills."

As part of the loan, La Parisienne by Renoir will be available to see in the Musée d'Orsay.

The Art of the Selfie exhibition runs from 16 March 2024 until 26 January 2025, and visitors are encouraged to pay what they can for tickets.

The selection of self-portraits shows the different ways artists chose to characterize themselves in the same way that people present and share images of themselves today.

Dawn Bowden MS, the arts and culture minister, said: "What a fitting way to close our year of Wales in France, which has seen us strengthen our ties in art, sport, education and trade.

"I cannot wait to be one of Amgueddfa Cymru's many visitors who gets to explore the history of the selfie in this wonderful collection."

"This is a really small exhibition and so intimate that it gives you the time to explore the works in depths," she said.

"There are only 14 works here but each one brings a different perspective."

One of the art pieces is from a young artist, Anya Paintsil who has a Ghanaian heritage. Anya lives and works in north Wales and has brought her Ghanaian identity and Welsh identity together in her piece.

"While she is using the traditional Ghanaian approach to this, actually she is depicting herself as Blodeuwedd, who is the floral lady from the Mabinogion.

"Anya has used some of her hair and weaved it into the portrait, which gives you a different perspective of what self-portrait might mean."