“The Wounded Poacher (The Veteran)” by William Merritt Chase, created in 1878, is a portrait artwork belonging to the Realism art movement.
The artwork presents a finely detailed portrayal of an elderly man, rendered with exceptional attention to human expression and the textures of both flesh and material. The subject, an aging man with a weathered face, is depicted in a dimly lit setting that emphasizes the deep contours of his features and the intensity of his gaze. The man wears a bandage around his head, suggesting he has suffered an injury, while he holds a pipe in his right hand. The background is dark and unadorned, focusing the viewer’s attention entirely on the figure. The painting captures both the physical and emotional state of the subject with striking realism, showcasing Chase’s skill in conveying the depth of human experience through portraiture.
