The artwork titled “Portrait of a man wearing a lavalliere” was created by the esteemed artist Paul Gauguin in the year 1888, during his time in France. This oil on canvas is a notable example of the Cloisonnism art movement, a style known for its bold outlines and vivid colors. As a genre, it falls under the category of portraiture and is currently housed at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
In this portrait, the subject is rendered with the characteristic elements of Cloisonnism: strong, defined outlines and areas of flat, unmodulated color. The man depicted in the artwork wears a dark suit complemented by the namesake lavalliere — a type of necktie. His face and the frontal pose are captured with unconventional color choices, presenting shades of green and yellow that evoke an intense and somewhat introspective character. The background contrasts the man’s dark attire with a vibrant mix of yellow, green, and blue, signifying a free application of color typical of Gauguin’s style. The juxtaposition of these elements imbues the piece with a vibrant yet enigmatic quality, compelling the viewer to ponder the inner thoughts of the portrayed individual.
