Portrait of a young man. 1828 Paper, pastel. 33h26. 5 Orest Adamovich Kiprensky (1782-1836)

The portrait presents a young man against a dark, indistinct background. He is positioned centrally within the frame, facing slightly towards the viewer, creating a sense of direct engagement. The artist employed pastel on paper, evident in the delicate blending and subtle gradations of color that define his features and clothing.
Here we see a carefully constructed image of youthful prosperity and social standing. The man’s hair is styled with meticulous curls, characteristic of early nineteenth-century fashion, suggesting attention to personal appearance and adherence to societal norms. His complexion appears fair, rendered with soft pink tones on the cheeks and lips, conveying health and vitality. The eyes are a striking blue, capturing and reflecting light, which draws the viewer’s gaze.
He is dressed in formal attire: a dark coat with a high collar and a crisp white cravat secured with a decorative pin. This ensemble reinforces his position within a specific social class, likely one of privilege and refinement. The simplicity of the background serves to emphasize the subjects presence and highlights the details of his clothing and facial expression.
The overall impression is one of restrained confidence and quiet dignity. There’s an absence of overt emotion; his gaze is steady, suggesting composure and perhaps a degree of self-awareness. This lack of demonstrative feeling could be interpreted as a deliberate choice by either the artist or the sitter to project an image of stability and respectability.
Subtly, theres a sense of vulnerability conveyed through the softness of the features and the slightly rounded form of his face. It hints at a personality beyond the formal presentation, suggesting a complexity that resists easy categorization. The work seems intended not merely as a likeness but as an assertion of identity within a specific historical context – a young man poised on the threshold of adulthood, embodying the values and aspirations of his time.