Artwork
Young man distracted. Study
Young man distracted. Study is an oil painting by the Realist artist Hippolyte Lazerges. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Hippolyte Lazerges’ oil portrait, dated around 1850, depicts a solitary young man seated at a table. The figure rests his chin on his right hand while his left hand supports a book, set against a darkened backdrop that emphasizes his contemplative pose. The work is part of the collection of Sweden’s Nationalmuseum.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, a youth with curly brown hair and a loose‑fitting white shirt, gazes off to the left with an expression that suggests mental wandering. His posture and the presence of the book hint at study or reflection, inviting viewers to consider the inner life of a person momentarily lost in thought.
Technique & Style
Lazerges employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, allowing light to fall on the face and hands while the surrounding space recedes into shadow. The soft rendering of the shirt’s billowy sleeves and the subtle gradations of tone create a three‑dimensional effect, focusing attention on the subject’s features and gestures.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1850, the painting entered the Nationalmuseum’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Lazerges aligns with his mid‑nineteenth‑century output, characterized by intimate portraiture and a restrained palette.
Artist & collection
