The artwork titled “A Soldier,” created by Gustave Caillebotte around 1881, is an oil on canvas and falls under the Impressionism movement. As a portrait, the piece measures 106 by 75 centimeters and, as of my knowledge cutoff date, is held in a private collection.
In the artwork, we observe a full-length portrait of a soldier standing, facing slightly to the right. He is depicted with a stern, respectful gaze that conveys a sense of duty and solemnity. The soldier is dressed in a traditional military uniform consisting of a dark blue jacket adorned with rows of buttons and a yellow collar, which indicates his rank or regiment. His red trousers contrast sharply with the jacket, drawing attention to his stance and posture. The attention to detail in the fabric’s folds and the shadows cast by the fabric imparts a sense of realism to the figure.
The background remains elusive and nondescript, consisting of muted, gradient shades that provide a neutral backdrop. This allows the observer’s focus to rest solely on the soldier, emphasizing his presence and character rather than placing him within a particular scene or context. The brushwork is loose and expressive, a characteristic of the Impressionism movement, which sought to capture moments with an emphasis on light and color rather than clear-cut lines and precise details. The portrait, while dignified and still, retains a sense of immediacy and energy—attributes of Caillebotte’s fearless approach to the ordinary subject matter.
