The artwork titled “Arthur Jeffress” is a portrait crafted by the artist Graham Sutherland in the year 1953. It stands within the Expressionism art movement, a genre that seeks to evoke emotional experience rather than physical reality. As a portrait, it captures the essence and character of its subject rather than offering a mere likeness.
The artwork presents a striking representation of its subject set against a monochromatic background that intensifies the focus on the figure. The subject is depicted in a three-quarter pose, gazing outward with a contemplative expression. Their features are rendered with a degree of abstraction characteristic of the expressionist style, with a focus on emotional depth rather than photorealistic detail. The color palette is somewhat subdued yet deliberate, utilizing a contrast between the warmer tones of the subject’s skin and the cooler, darker hues of their clothing, to create a sense of depth and dimensionality.
Graham Sutherland has employed loose, vigorous brushstrokes that capture the texture of the subject’s skin and hair, reflecting the psychological complexity and intensity of the individual. The passionate red of the background sets a dramatic tone, possibly alluding to the inner life or temperament of Arthur Jeffress. The painting is also marked with writing at the top-right corner, stating the subject and location where the study was made, further anchoring the portrait in a specific moment in time and place. Overall, the artwork is a potent example of Expressionism, charged with emotional resonance and a powerful psychological presence.
