The artwork titled “Portrait of Brother David with Mandolin” was created by Marc Chagall in 1914 in Liozna, near Vitebsk, Belarus. This piece, composed using gouache on cardboard, belongs to the Cubism art movement and is categorized as a portrait. The dimensions of the artwork are 49.5 x 37 cm. It is currently housed in the Primorsk State Art Gallery in Vladivostok, Russia.
The artwork presents a dynamic and emotive portrait of Brother David, who is depicted playing a mandolin. Rendered predominantly in cool blue tones with highlights of yellow, the piece exemplifies Chagall’s unique blend of figuration and geometric abstraction characteristic of Cubism. The figure is shown in mid-action, with expressive facial features and hands strumming the mandolin, emphasizing the vivacity and energy of the subject. The background includes a window that suggests an internal setting suffused with light and shadow, enhancing the overall mood of introspection and creative fervor.
