The artwork “Afghan” was created by Vasily Vereshchagin between the years 1867 and 1868. This piece is categorized under the art movements of Realism and Orientalism, and it falls within the genre of portraiture.
The artwork depicts a solitary male figure standing in what appears to be an arid landscape, with a clear blue sky as the backdrop. The man is adorned in traditional attire, consisting of a white tunic and pants, detailed with a vibrant red sash around his waist, and a multicolored turban on his head. He is holding a musket in one hand with an array of weapons, indicative of a warrior or guard. The portrait captures not just his attire but also the solemn expression on his face, reflecting the characteristic style of realism with meticulous attention to detail and cultural nuances reflective of Orientalism. The composition and the use of light highlight the textures and the vibrancy of the colors, giving depth to the subject’s character and the environment he inhabits.
