Portrait of Ignatius Fumagalli Karl Pavlovich Bryullov (1799-1852)

This is a formal oil portrait of a man, Ignatius Fumagalli, presented from the chest up. He is positioned three-quarters to the viewer, with his left arm resting on the back of a wooden chair and his head turned to face the viewer directly.
Fumagalli has a full face with a prominent nose and receding hairline. His dark hair is slicked back, and he has dark eyes that gaze out from the canvas. He is dressed in formal attire of the period, including a dark, double-breasted coat worn over a waistcoat and a white cravat tied with a dark, patterned bow. A small golden pin or brooch is visible on his lapel. His skin tone is fair, and the artist has rendered his features with a soft, somewhat rounded brushwork. The background is a muted, dark brown, providing a simple backdrop that emphasizes the sitter. His left hand, resting on the chair, holds a folded white handkerchief or piece of paper.
The subtext of the portrait suggests a person of some standing and affluence, indicated by his formal dress and the direct, confident gaze. The style of the painting, with its controlled brushwork and emphasis on realistic representation, reflects the conventions of portraiture during the 19th century, aiming to capture the likeness and social status of the sitter. The inclusion of the handkerchief might subtly allude to wealth or perhaps a profession requiring such an accessory, but it also adds a touch of vulnerability or perhaps a gesture of refinement. The overall impression is one of a dignified and perhaps serious individual, immortalized in a pose that conveys a sense of presence and importance.