The artwork “Portrait of Anthony Valabregue” is a notable creation by the distinguished artist Paul Cezanne, composed around the year 1870. The portrait is an oil on canvas medium piece, measuring approximately 60.4 x 50.2 cm, and is often associated with the Romanticism movement. This piece of art falls into the genre of portraiture and captures the essence of the subject, Anthony Valabregue.
The artwork presents a male figure viewed against a dark, undefined background. The artist employs bold brushwork, a hallmark of Cezanne’s approach, which contributes to the vivid texture and depth of the portrait. The subject, Anthony Valabregue, is depicted with an intense gaze, his eyes fixed on a point outside the canvas bounds, implying a contemplative or introspective state. His facial features are painted with a combination of stark lines and softer shades, accentuating the structure of his face and the thoughtful expression.
Valabregue’s attire is formal; he is dressed in a dark coat with a white shirt peering through, and a dark bow tie which is a focal point amidst the subdued colors of his clothes. The interplay of light and shadow on his face and dress further gives the painting a three-dimensional quality, lending a sense of realism to the work despite the expressive brushstrokes.
The artist’s mastery in capturing human emotion and character is evident in this sensitive portrayal, which stands as a profound example of his artistic prowess during the period reflective of Romanticism in art, yet hinting at the post-impressionistic tendencies that Cezanne is renowned for helping to pioneer.
