The artwork “Uncle Dominique as a Lawyer” is a notable creation from the celebrated artist Paul Cézanne, dating back to the year 1866. Executed with oil on canvas, this portrait exemplifies characteristics of the Romanticism movement. The painting measures 65 by 54 centimeters and is currently housed in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.
As we examine the artwork, we see a man, presumably Uncle Dominique, dressed in dark attire suitable for his profession as a lawyer. He is depicted with a confidently poised hand gesture, perhaps in the midst of an argument or a presentation, reminiscent of his vocation’s rhetorical demands. His expression conveys an air of seriousness and focus, and the brushwork imbues the representation with a sense of immediacy and intensity. The background is loosely rendered, directing the viewer’s attention to the subject’s face and hands. The energetic and somewhat rough brushstrokes align with the artistic tendencies of the Romantic period, emphasizing emotion and individualism over the polished finish found in Neoclassicism. Cézanne’s choice of palette and light brings a stark contrast between the subject and the background, while the gestural brushstrokes give life to the figure’s countenance and attire.
