The artwork “Portrait of Pétro” by Theo van Doesburg, dated circa 1922, is a notable piece within the Constructivism movement. Created as a portrait, it measures 64.5 by 48 centimeters and is housed in the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The artwork features a profile view of a figure rendered in a distinctive geometric style associated with Constructivism. The head is depicted with minimal curvature, emphasizing angularity and abstraction. The face is intricately detailed with subtle gradations of shading, yet it retains the stark, simplified forms that characterize the movement. Encased within an angular frame, the interplay between the background elements and the subject suggests a deliberate manipulation of spatial dynamics. The muted, almost monochromatic palette, dominated by tones of grey, black, and subtle hints of flesh tones, further accentuates the work’s abstract nature. The overall composition reflects van Doesburg’s commitment to integrating theoretical principles of modernist abstraction with figurative representation.
