Age quietest King (Al. Mich.) Sergey Sergeyevich Solomko (1867-1928)

The drawing presents a portrait of a man in profile, rendered with a restrained palette and a focus on textural detail. The subject is positioned slightly off-center within the frame, his gaze directed towards the upper right corner. He wears elaborate headwear – a tall, cylindrical cap adorned with what appears to be fur or dense fabric, suggesting a position of authority or ceremonial significance. Long hair cascades down from beneath the cap, mingling with the collar of a richly ornamented garment.
The artist employed a technique that emphasizes subtle gradations in tone, creating an impression of depth and volume within the figure’s face and clothing. The lines are delicate yet purposeful, defining features without resorting to harsh outlines. A sense of quiet dignity emanates from the subject; his expression is solemn, almost melancholic.
The background is largely undifferentiated, a warm beige tone that allows the figure to dominate the composition. Inscribed text appears in Cyrillic script at the upper right corner, providing contextual information about the individual depicted and potentially indicating the period of creation (the XVII c. suggests the 17th century). The inscription’s placement draws attention to the subjects historical context.
Subtly, there is a sense of formality and perhaps even restraint in the work. The lack of overt emotion or dramatic gesture contributes to an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. It seems likely that this drawing served as a reproduction of an earlier artwork, given its somewhat faded appearance and the presence of text associated with it – a common practice for disseminating images within historical contexts. The overall effect is one of reverence and respect for the individual portrayed, suggesting he held a position of considerable importance in his time.