The artwork titled “Portrait of a Man with Beard in Three Quarter Profile” is a creation of Gustav Klimt, dated 1879. As an exemplar of the Realism art movement, this portrait is characterized by its life-like representation. This genre of the artwork is particularly focused on an individual subject, captured here with striking detail and nuance.
Exploring the artwork further, it depicts a mature bearded man in three-quarter profile, indicating a turn of the head that is neither directly facing the viewer nor entirely in profile. The subject’s gaze is directed contemplatively to one side, and his expression is solemn. Klimt’s use of shading and light creates a lifelike texture of the man’s beard and hair, giving the viewer a sense of the subject’s character and physical presence. The detail in the representation of the beard’s coarseness and the hair’s sheen suggests skilled craftsmanship and careful attention to detail. The drawing is done on a medium-toned paper, which enhances the overall tonality and depth of the portrait.
The artist’s signature and the date of the artwork are visibly inscribed at the bottom, confirming its authenticity and providing a historical context. The evocative portrayal realised through Gustav Klimt’s adept hand embodies the Realism movement’s dedication to accurate depiction and individual portrayal, eschewing the embellishment and idealization typical of preceding art movements.
