Портрет Петра Алексеевича Оленина 1813 Бумага на картоне итальянский карандаш пастель 51х39 часть 2 - Russian and soviet artists Русские и советские художники

The drawing presents a half-length portrait of a young man, rendered in pastel and Italian pencil on paper mounted on cardboard. The subject is positioned at a slight angle to the viewer, his gaze directed forward with a directness that establishes an immediate connection. He wears a dark military uniform, accented by a fur collar and elaborate epaulettes indicating rank. A black beret sits atop his head, partially obscuring the forehead and contributing to a sense of contained energy.
The artist’s handling of light and shadow is particularly noteworthy. The face is illuminated from the left, creating highlights on the cheekbones and brow that emphasize the subjects features. This contrast sharpens the contours of his jawline and defines the subtle curve of his lips, conveying an impression of seriousness and perhaps a touch of melancholy. The shading around the eyes suggests depth and introspection.
The background is deliberately muted, allowing the figure to dominate the composition. A faint suggestion of architectural detail can be discerned on the right side, but it remains indistinct, serving primarily as a tonal contrast to the subject’s darker attire.
Subtleties in the drawing suggest more than just a straightforward depiction. The slightly furrowed brow and the downward tilt of the mouth hint at an underlying complexity of character. There is a certain vulnerability conveyed through his gaze, despite the formality of his military dress. The positioning of one arm across his chest creates a sense of guardedness, as if he is both presenting himself and maintaining a degree of emotional distance.
The choice of materials – pastel and Italian pencil – contributes to the overall effect. The softness of the pastel lends a delicate quality to the skin tones, while the precision of the pencil defines the sharp lines of the uniform and epaulettes. This combination creates a visual tension between fragility and strength, mirroring the nuanced character suggested by the subject’s expression. The signature in the upper left corner, though partially obscured, adds a layer of historical context without overtly intruding on the portraits immediate impact.