The artwork titled “Portrait of the Wife of the Businessman Artsybushev” was painted by Mikhail Vrubel in 1897, during the Realism movement. This oil on canvas piece pertains to the genre of portraiture and is currently located in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
This somber and contemplative portrait captures an older woman, presumably the wife of a businessman named Artsybushev, seated against an intricate and darkly toned floral tapestry. The overall atmosphere of the painting is imbued with a sense of austerity and reflection. The woman’s expression, combined with the carefully wrought details and subdued color palette, evokes an air of solemn dignity. Her dark clothing contrasts with the richly patterned backdrop, emphasizing her presence and the depth of her character. The use of light and shadow in the artwork not only highlights the texture and realism characteristic of Vrubel’s style but also serves to draw the observer’s focus to the figure’s serene yet slightly melancholic visage.
