The artwork titled “Gustave Boyer in a Straw Hat” is the creation of artist Paul Cézanne, dating from circa 1871. This oil on canvas portrait is a product of the Romantic period, despite Cézanne’s later association with Post-Impressionism. The dimensions of the piece approximate 55 by 39 centimeters. It portrays the subject, Gustave Boyer, in a genre consistent with portraiture.
In the artwork, the subject is depicted in a three-quarter view, wearing a straw hat, which sits atop his head and casts a shadow upon his forehead. The hat’s light color contrasts with the darker tones of his hair, beard, and clothing. The subject appears to be wearing a formal dark coat, suggestive of the fashion of the mid to late 19th century. His gaze seems direct, meeting the viewer with a sense of presence and character. The brushwork is visible and varies in texture, a mark of Cézanne’s painterly approach that allows for a rich interplay of color and light. The background is subdued, using neutral tones to ensure the focus remains steadfast on Boyer’s figure and expression. The portrait emanates the intense individualism and emotional depth characteristic of the Romantic movement, though it also hints at the evolving style that Cézanne would further develop in his subsequent work.
