Self-portrait. 1830-1833 Karl Pavlovich Bryullov (1799-1852)

The drawing presents a bust-length portrait of a man facing slightly towards his left. The artist employed charcoal and white chalk on paper, creating a study characterized by loose lines and expressive shading. Here we see a figure with a pronounced brow and a somewhat melancholic gaze directed outward. His expression is not overtly joyful or sorrowful, but rather contemplative, suggesting an introspective nature.
The man’s hair is rendered in swirling, tightly-packed curls that frame his face and cascade onto his shoulders. The artist used varied pressure to depict the volume of the hair, with darker tones indicating shadow and lighter strokes highlighting areas catching the light. This technique lends a sense of dynamism and texture to the depiction. He wears what appears to be a high-collared coat or jacket, fastened at the neck with a dark tie or cravat. The lines defining this garment are less precise than those used for the face and hair, contributing to an overall impression of immediacy and spontaneity.
The background is largely unrendered, save for faint indications of sketched guidelines along the left edge, suggesting that this may be a preliminary study rather than a finished work. This lack of detail focuses attention entirely on the subject’s features and demeanor.
Subtly, theres an air of vulnerability conveyed through the slightly downturned mouth and the intensity of the gaze. The artist seems to have been interested in capturing not just a likeness but also something of the sitter’s inner state – a sense of quiet reflection or perhaps even a touch of weariness. The unfinished quality of the work, with its visible sketch lines, further reinforces this impression of an intimate and personal moment captured on paper. It is likely intended to convey more than mere physical appearance; it aims for psychological insight.