The artwork “Portrait of a Man in a Blue Cap, or Uncle Dominique” is a notable creation by the artist Paul Cézanne, dating back to circa 1866. This oil on canvas composition measures 80 by 65 centimeters and falls within the genre of portraiture. It is associated with the Romanticism movement, despite Cézanne being more commonly linked with Post-Impressionism in later years. This piece of art captures a detailed representation of the subject, presumed to be the artist’s uncle.
The artwork portrays a male figure who appears to be gazing directly out at the viewer with a confident expression. He is adorned with a blue cap, tilted at a jaunty angle atop his head, which adds character and a sense of individuality to the portrait. His facial features are rendered with bold, defining strokes, accentuating his furrowed brow, mustache, and goatee. The use of color is expressive, particularly in the treatment of the cap and the deep red of his cravat, which provides a striking contrast against the white of his shirt and the black of his vest. The background is rendered in a neutral, textural manner that serves to emphasize the figure, in line with the Romantic focus on emotion and individuality. Overall, the portrait exudes a strong sense of personality, suggesting a certain narrative about the man, referred to as Uncle Dominique, a testament to Cézanne’s early work and artistic potential that he would continue to develop throughout his career.
