#47281 Alexandre De Riquer e Ynglada (1856-1920)

The drawing presents a portrait study of a man facing directly toward the viewer. The composition is tightly cropped, focusing primarily on his head and upper torso. He appears to be in his late twenties or early thirties, with dark, thick hair styled relatively short across the top and longer around the sides. A full beard dominates the lower portion of his face, meticulously rendered with cross-hatching that suggests both density and texture.
The man’s gaze is direct and unwavering; it conveys a sense of introspection and perhaps even challenge. The lighting emphasizes the planes of his face, creating shadows that accentuate the prominence of his brow and cheekbones. This contributes to an overall impression of seriousness and intensity. He wears what appears to be a dark jacket with visible buttons, adding a layer of formality to the depiction.
The background is entirely black, devoid of any detail, which serves to isolate the subject and direct all attention toward him. The artist employed a technique utilizing dense cross-hatching for shading, creating a granular texture throughout the image. This approach lends a sense of depth and volume to the figure while also contributing to a somewhat somber mood.
Subtly, there’s an air of melancholy conveyed through his expression and posture. It is not overtly sad, but rather suggests a quiet contemplation or perhaps a burden carried internally. The precision in rendering details – the individual hairs of the beard, the texture of the jacket – implies a meticulous observation and respect for the subjects character. A signature appears at the bottom right corner, rendered with a flowing script that contrasts with the more rigid lines of the portrait itself.