Artwork
Head of a monk
Head of a monk is an oil painting by the Realist artist Szymon Buchbinder. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.
About this work
Overview
Head of a Monk is a 19th-century oil painting by Szymon Buchbinder, a Polish artist known for his genre scenes, historical works, and small-format portraits.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a monk from the chest up, wearing a dark robe, with a pale and gaunt face, deep-set eyes, and a furrowed brow. The somber expression and contemplative atmosphere evoke a sense of introspection.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the work exemplifies the Realist style, characterized by unidealized representations of its subjects. The dark, shadowy background serves to accentuate the monk's features.
History & Provenance
Created in 1875, Head of a Monk is part of the National Museum in Warsaw's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Szymon Buchbinder, or Simeon Buchbinder (6 January 1853 – 21 October 1922) was a Polish painter. Most of his works were genre and historical scenes (often with a moral) and portraits done in small formats.
