silk Vasily Ivanovich Surikov (1848-1916)

The drawing presents two studies of male heads, executed in a rapid and expressive charcoal technique on paper. The composition is straightforward: two portraits are arranged side-by-side, each occupying roughly equal space within the rectangular format.
On the left, we see a man depicted in profile. His gaze is directed downwards, suggesting introspection or perhaps melancholy. The artist has rendered his features with a degree of simplification; the nose and mouth are indicated by subtle shading, while the hair is suggested through short, energetic strokes that convey texture and volume. A slight furrowing of the brow adds to the overall impression of seriousness.
The portrait on the right shows a man facing forward, his expression more animated. His mouth is slightly open, as if he were about to speak or emit a sound. The eyes are rendered with a greater intensity than those in the profile view, and the shading around them creates a sense of depth and emotion. Here, the artist has paid particular attention to capturing the play of light across the face, highlighting the cheekbones and brow ridge.
The drawing’s texture is integral to its impact. The visible grain of the paper contributes to the works immediacy and rawness. The charcoal marks are not meticulously blended; instead, they retain their individual character, adding a sense of spontaneity and energy.
Subtly placed beneath the left portrait, a small inscription in script can be discerned, while a more elaborate signature and date (1924) appear near the lower right corner. These markings provide contextual information about the work’s creation and authorship.
The pairing of these two portraits suggests an exploration of character or emotional states. The contrast between the introspective profile and the expressive frontal view invites comparison, prompting consideration of the complexities of human expression and the challenges of capturing them on paper. It is likely that these are preliminary studies for a larger work, demonstrating the artist’s process of observation and refinement.