The artwork, “Orphan Man with Umbrella, Seen from the Back,” by Vincent van Gogh, created in 1882 in The Hague, Netherlands, is a pencil drawing on paper. The artwork, belonging to the Realism art movement, takes the form of a portrait and is currently housed at the Kunstmuseum Bern in Bern, Switzerland.
The artwork presents a solitary figure viewed from behind. The man is garbed in a long coat, with a hat perched upon his head, conveying a sense of anonymity and introspection. He holds a closed umbrella in his right hand, which supports his stance, while his left hand is tucked into the coat pocket. The meticulous pencil strokes give depth and texture to his clothing, rendering a sense of realism and humanity in the depiction. The use of shadow and line captures the weariness and solitude of the figure, drawing the viewer’s eye to the nuances of his posture and attire. The blank backdrop accentuates the figure, emphasizing the artist’s focus on the human condition. This poignant portrayal underscores van Gogh’s mastery in illustrating emotion and individualism through minimalist yet powerful imagery.
