Self-Portrait 1854. Paper, graphite. pencil. 13. 3h9, 6 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

The drawing presents a frontal portrait of a young man rendered in graphite and pencil on paper. He is depicted from the chest upwards, his gaze directed squarely towards the viewer. A flat cap sits firmly upon his head, casting shadows that accentuate the planes of his face and contribute to a sense of solidity. The artist employed a loose, expressive hatching technique throughout, creating a textured surface that conveys both detail and immediacy.
The subject’s features are characterized by a certain intensity; the brow is furrowed slightly, and the eyes possess a directness that suggests introspection or perhaps even defiance. A shadow falls across his upper lip, adding to this impression of seriousness. The clothing – a simple shirt with suspenders – indicates a working-class background or at least an unpretentious demeanor.
The artist’s use of shading is particularly noteworthy in the rendering of the hair, which appears somewhat disheveled and frames the face loosely. This contributes to a sense of naturalism and avoids any overly stylized presentation. The background is suggested with minimal detail – a series of horizontal lines that evoke a wall or perhaps an interior space – allowing the focus to remain firmly on the subject himself.
The inscription at the bottom right, dated 1854 and containing what appears to be Cyrillic script, provides contextual information without explicitly identifying the individual depicted. This detail subtly reinforces the drawing’s personal nature; it is not merely a likeness but a record of a specific moment in time. The overall effect is one of quiet dignity and self-awareness, suggesting a young man engaged with his own identity and place within the world.