A rare self-portrait by 17th-century British painter William Dobson has been jointly acquired by London's Tate and the National Portrait Gallery for £2.37 million ($3.2 million), setting a new record for the artist. The painting, considered the first known self-portrait by a British-born painter, was created in the late 1630s and last sold at Bonhams London in 2016 for just over £1.1 million. It will go on view in London before embarking on a national tour in 2026.
This acquisition matters because it pulls Dobson out of relative obscurity and highlights his significance as a uniquely homegrown British Baroque portraitist, who succeeded Anthony van Dyck as official painter to King Charles I. The self-portrait is notable for its psychological depth and candid style, drawing comparisons to Caravaggio and Rembrandt, and represents a milestone in the history of British art, marking the rise of the artist's self-awareness and status.