The artwork entitled “Portrait of man” is crafted by the esteemed artist Nicholas Roerich, dating from circa 1895. It is informed by the Realism art movement, characterized by its portrayal of subjects as they appear in everyday life without embellishment or interpretation. This genre of the artwork is a portrait, focusing on the depiction of an individual subject.
This particular artwork presents a profile view of a male figure. The man is depicted with a robust beard and is adorned with a cap that sits atop his head with a slight angle, possibly indicative of his personal style or the fashion of the time. The brushwork visible in the portrait is expressive, with thick, confident strokes that lend a sense of vitality and texture to the subject’s features and attire.
The color palette is relatively muted, dominated by earthy tones that suggest a simple or familiar setting for this individual; it is perhaps even suggestive of the subject’s personality or station in life. The background is minimalistic, employing a solid color that allows the figure to command attention.
The artist’s signature can be detected in the upper left corner, giving authentication to the work. The portrayal in the artwork is grounded firmly in the Realist tradition, designed to capture the essence of the subject without romantic embellishment, allowing the viewer to engage with the portrait as a candid representation.