The Self-Portrait | Blake, Quentin | V&A Explore The Collections Image of License this image To license this image or for more information please contact our Licensing team. 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Please contact our Licensing team for more information. JPG On display Young V&A Imagine Gallery, This is Me, West wall The Self-Portrait 2010 Artist/Maker Blake, Quentin (artist) Place of origin United Kingdom This illustration was made by Sir Quentin Blake as part of his work in hospitals, for which he is well-known. It depicts a young person smiling in front of a self-portrait they have made. It forms part of the 'Ordinary Life in Vincent Square' series, which Blake made for the Eating Disorder Unit at the Vincent Square Clinic in Westminster between 2010 and 2011. The project was commissioned by The Nightingale Project, which works to bring art into NHS sites. The series depicts scenes from everyday, 'ordinary life'. In order to understand what would be appropriate for display at the Eating Disorder Unit, Blake met with a small group of staff and patients. The group agreed that they were happy for Blake to draw anything he liked, although they acknowledged that food was a sensitive area. Blake has said that the illustrations show people relaxed and at ease, and that any depictions of food in the 'Vincent Square' series appeared as part of everyday life, such as an illustration of woman feeding breadcrumbs to a bird. Blake used a quill to for his illustrations to give them a softness, but has also said that the illustrations are of scenes of action and interaction, rather than being sluggishly comfortable. Object details Category Illustration Object type Title The Self-Portrait Materials and techniques Giclée print on Hahnemuhle ‘German etching’ paper Paper Giclée Prints Brief description 'The Self-Portrait', limited-edition print of an image from the 'Ordrinary Life in Vincent Square' series, made for the Eating Disorders Unit at Vincent Square Clinic, 2010. Physical description Illustration of a person standing in-front of a self-portrait they have made of themselves. The figure has blonde hair, is smiling, holding a paintbrush, and wearing dungarees with paint daubs on. Their self-portrait is also depicted smiling and wearing dungarees. There is a mirror beside the easel, and a table piled with paintbrushes and a palette pictured next to the figure. Hand-signed by the artist and numbered '5/250'. Dimensions Width: 560mm Height: 410mm Production type Limited edition Copy number 5/250 Gallery label (01/07/2023) Bottom: The Self-Portrait Quentin Blake made this print for a mental health hospital. The person looks proud of their self-portrait. Sometimes, just doing something creative can feel better than the end result. Made by Quentin Blake 2010 London Giclée print Given by Sir Quentin Blake Museum no. B.40-2022 [Young V&A, Imagine Gallery, This is Me, short object label] Credit line Given by Quentin Blake Summary This illustration was made by Sir Quentin Blake as part of his work in hospitals, for which he is well-known. It depicts a young person smiling in front of a self-portrait they have made. It forms part of the 'Ordinary Life in Vincent Square' series, which Blake made for the Eating Disorder Unit at the Vincent Square Clinic in Westminster between 2010 and 2011. The project was commissioned by The Nightingale Project, which works to bring art into NHS sites. The series depicts scenes from everyday, 'ordinary life'. In order to understand what would be appropriate for display at the Eating Disorder Unit, Blake met with a small group of staff and patients. The group agreed that they were happy for Blake to draw anything he liked, although they acknowledged that food was a sensitive area. Blake has said that the illustrations show people relaxed and at ease, and that any depictions of food in the 'Vincent Square' series appeared as part of everyday life, such as an illustration of woman feeding breadcrumbs to a bird. Blake used a quill to for his illustrations to give them a softness, but has also said that the illustrations are of scenes of action and interaction, rather than being sluggishly comfortable. Collection Young V&A Collection Accession number B.40-2022 About this object record Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly. You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record. 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