The artwork titled “Man in a Straw Hat” was created by the artist Paul Cezanne in the year 1871. This portrait, painted with oil on canvas, measures 55 by 39 centimeters. Although the art movement associated with the artwork has been identified as Romanticism, Cezanne is more commonly associated with Post-Impressionism. The portrait falls within the genre of portraiture, where the subject is typically the focal point of the composition, allowing the artist to capture the character and mood of the individual.
The artwork presents a male figure adorned with a straw hat, an accessory that casts a shadow over his face, suggesting a natural outdoor environment. The lighting accents the contours of the man’s face, with a direct gaze that connects with the viewer, adding an intimate character to the portrait. His countenance carries a sense of solemnity and introspection, evoked by the dark tones and concentrated gaze. The brushwork appears loose and gestural, a characteristic of Cezanne’s later, more expressive style, diverging from the precision of Romantic portraiture. The background is muted and indistinct, allowing the viewer’s focus to remain on the man’s visage and the texture of his clothing.
