Portrait of P.A. Radimov (1910) Nikolay Feshin (1881-1955)

The portrait presents a young man facing directly toward the viewer, his gaze intense and unwavering. He is positioned centrally within the composition, filling nearly the entire frame, which contributes to a sense of immediacy and confrontation. The background is starkly dark, devoid of detail, serving to isolate the figure and intensify the focus on his face.
The artist employed a loose, expressive brushstroke throughout the work. Colors are blended in places, creating a soft transition between tones while retaining visible marks of application. This technique lends a sense of spontaneity and vitality to the depiction. The palette is dominated by earthy browns, ochres, and muted greens, with subtle highlights suggesting light reflecting off the skin and clothing. A warm glow illuminates the left side of his face, contrasting with the shadows on the right, adding depth and volume.
The young man’s features are rendered with a degree of realism, yet there is an underlying sense of psychological complexity. His eyes, particularly striking due to their clear blue hue against the warmer tones of his skin and hair, convey a mixture of vulnerability and determination. The slight furrowing of his brow and the subtle tension in his mouth suggest introspection or perhaps even a quiet defiance.
The clothing appears casual – a collared shirt beneath what looks like a tweed jacket – indicating an unstudied demeanor. This contributes to the impression that we are seeing him as he is, without artifice or pretense. The slightly disheveled state of his hair reinforces this sense of naturalness and authenticity.
Subtly, theres a feeling of melancholy present in the portrait. It isn’t overt sadness, but rather a quiet introspection that permeates the subject’s expression. This could be interpreted as a reflection of the era – a period marked by social upheaval and intellectual questioning – or it might reveal something about the individual’s inner life. The dark background contributes to this mood, creating an atmosphere of solitude and contemplation. Overall, the work is not merely a likeness but a probing exploration of character and psychological state.