There are only four self-portraits known by Eugene Jansson.

1. A drawing, dating from c. 1880 depicting the artist at the age of 18. 18.2 X 10.2 cm, (Nationalmuseum, Stockholm)
2. An oil painting dated 1901 “JAG” (Thielska galleriet Stockholm) depicting the artist standing before the windows in his studio ½ length against a background of the illuminated Lake Mälaren, Riddarfjärden, Stockholm, 101 X 144 cm.
3. An oil painting “Self Portrait” dated 1910 depicting the artist dressed in a white suit in front of a group of nude men from the Bath- house at Skeppsholmen, Stockholm, 203 X 110 cm. Nationalmuseum (eg. Gripsholm Castle, the Royal Portrait collection)
4. The present oil painting.

The portrait photograph of the artist dating from around 1890-1900 is a good indicator for dating this self-portrait. Most probably the self-portrait was painted shortly before 1901, preceding the painting “JAG” in the Thielska galleriet in Stockholm. From the autumn of 1904 up to 1907 Jansson ceased to exhibit, gave up the nocturnal images of his native Stockholm that had sealed his public reputation and, for the rest of his life, focused upon the male nude.

The art critic Tor Hedberg described Jansson’s appearance at this date as a person conscious of his (public) image, as he had already won a respected reputation for his views of Stockholm. He was exhibiting internationally around the turn of the century, in France, Germany and Italy.