The artwork “Portrait of Octave Raquin” by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was created in 1901. Exhibiting the hallmarks of the Post-Impressionist movement, it is expressed through oil on canvas. This evocative portrait is part of the collection at the Museu de Arte Assis Chateaubriand (MAC), located in Campina Grande, Brazil. As a genre, it captures the essence of portrait work, where the subject’s personality is often as much a focus as their physical likeness.
The artwork portrays a man in a somewhat three-quarters profile, allowing a dynamic view of his features. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s characteristic brushwork is visible in the textured strokes that define the man’s complexion and facial hair. The color palette is somewhat muted, with an emphasis on earth tones that highlight the subject’s ruddy complexion and ginger beard. One can observe the space around the figure characterized by broader, less detailed strokes, giving a sense of depth and atmosphere to the setting wherein the subject resides.
The subject, Octave Raquin, appears solemn or contemplative, with his gaze directed outward, beyond the viewer. The shadowing on his face underscores the structure of his cheekbones and jawline, imparting a sculptural quality to his visage. Lautrec’s characteristic style—conveying psychological depth and a certain rawness of emotion—is evident in the way he captures the subtle nuances of the subject’s expression.
As is common with Toulouse-Lautrec’s portraits, there is a penetrating realism, not just in the depiction of physical traits, but also in the evocation of the subject’s character. The intensity of the subject’s gaze, combined with the boldness of the brush strokes, makes for a portrait that is at once intimate and revealing, as well as assertive in its artistic execution. Overall, “Portrait of Octave Raquin” stands as a testament to Toulouse-Lautrec’s talent for creating profound and enduring character studies through the medium of paint.
