The artwork named “Orphan Man in Sunday Clothes with Eye Bandage,” created by Vincent van Gogh in the year 1882 in The Hague, Netherlands, is a poignant portrait rendered in chalk, pencil, and wash on paper. The piece, associated with the Realism art movement, is housed at the Fogg Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, under the auspices of Harvard Art Museums.
This artwork depicts a dignified elderly gentleman dressed in formal Sunday attire. A tall, cylindrical top hat adorns his head, underscoring the solemnity of his appearance. His visage is marked by an eye bandage covering his right eye, suggestive of a past injury or ailment. The man’s face is deeply lined, conveying a sense of wisdom and the hardships of life. A lit cigarette protrudes from his mouth, with smoke curling upwards, adding a sense of movement and realism to the stillness of the portrait. His attire is complemented by a medal pinned to his left breast, hinting at a past service or honor bestowed upon him. The use of dark tones and the detailed texture of the hair and beard enhance the depth and realism of the portrait, reflecting van Gogh’s masterful technique and expressive intensity.
