The portrait you’ve presented, titled “Lenin in 1922,” is a work of art by Diego Rivera, created in the vein of Social Realism. As a Social Realist portrait, it features a depiction of the leader Lenin and is intended to reflect Rivera’s sociopolitical inclinations through its portrayal of this iconic figure.
In this artwork, Rivera has rendered a close-up view of a bearded man, presumed to be Lenin, looking directly at the viewer. There is a sense of intensity and perhaps contemplation in the subject’s gaze. The portrait shows the subject’s upper body, dressed in what appears to be a military-style coat adorned with a series of numbered badges, which could be indicative of ranking or identification within an institution or movement. The naturalistic representation, coupled with the use of subdued, earthy tones, reinforces the realistic approach typical of Rivera’s oeuvre and serves to humanize this historically significant figure. The brushwork seems smooth, and the attention to detail in the facial features speaks to Rivera’s skill as a portraitist. The use of light and shadow gives the face a three-dimensional quality, emphasizing the subject’s features and the depth of expression in his eyes.
This portrait exemplifies the Social Realism movement, through which artists conveyed social messages and commentary through their depictions of everyday life and important figures, often with a focus on the working class and the underrepresented. Rivera’s choice of Lenin as a subject reflects the artist’s interest in revolutionary political themes and the struggles of the proletariat, which were central to his artistic philosophy.
