Self-Portrait about 1917
Adolphe Valette 1876-1942
Oil on canvas

When he won a travelling art scholarship in 1904,
Valette originally wanted to visit Japan
as Japanese art was popular in the late 19th century.
The outbreak of the Russio-Japanese war prevented this,
so Valette chose to visit England instead.

The flat, asymmetrical arrangement of this self-portrait
which includes a blue-and-white oriental ginger jar
shows the enduring influence of Japanese art on Valette.

This work was presented to the gallery by Annie Barnett
who was a pupil and friend of the artist.
She took care of him following the death of his first wife
and kept in touch with Valette after his return to France.

Gift of Miss Annie Barnett 1938.407