Artwork

Portrait, head and shoulders, facing right, of a young man in Oriental dress

Portrait, head and shoulders, facing right, of a young man in Oriental dress is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This watercolour portrait depicts a young man in Oriental attire, shown from the head to the shoulders and turned to the right.

About this work

Overview

This watercolour portrait depicts a young man in Oriental attire, shown from the head to the shoulders and turned to the right. The artist is unknown.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter wears a white turban and a yellow jacket over a dark vest, suggesting Middle Eastern or Asian cultural influences. His blue eyes and mustache add to the portrait's character.

Technique & Style

The artist employed watercolour to achieve a realistic representation of the subject. The style is consistent with the Realist movement, which focused on accurate and detailed depictions of everyday life.

History & Provenance

Dated to 1850, the work is part of a larger collection that may hold clues to the sitter's identity, as referenced in the Searight Archive.