Ds-Nicholas de Grandmaison 03 Nicholas De Grandmaison

Here we observe a portrait study rendered in pastel on paper. The subject is an older man, presumably Indigenous based on his features and attire. He is depicted from the chest up, turned slightly towards the viewer with a direct gaze. His expression conveys a complex mixture of weariness, stoicism, and perhaps a touch of melancholy.
The artist employed a limited palette dominated by earthy tones – browns, ochres, muted greens, and touches of blue – which contribute to a sense of somberness and age. The application of pastel is loose and expressive; strokes are visible, creating texture and suggesting movement in the man’s hair and clothing. This technique lends an immediacy and intimacy to the portrayal.
The subject holds a long, slender pipe between his fingers, smoke curling upwards. This detail introduces layers of subtext. The pipe could symbolize tradition, ritual, or perhaps a means of solace amidst hardship. It also serves as a focal point, drawing attention to the man’s hands and the way he interacts with this object.
The artist has paid particular attention to rendering the details of the subjects face: deep lines etched around his eyes and mouth speak volumes about a life lived through adversity. The slight asymmetry in his features adds to the sense of realism and individuality. A single earring adorns one ear, hinting at personal style or cultural significance.
The background is indistinct, allowing the viewer’s focus to remain entirely on the man himself. This isolation reinforces the feeling that he represents a figure removed from contemporary society, embodying a connection to a fading past. The inscription beneath the image suggests a name and location (Fast Walker, Ehkomo Peigan Indian (Brocket, Alberta) 1938), providing contextual information about the subject’s identity and the time of creation. This detail underscores the potential for the work to be understood as an ethnographic record alongside its artistic merit.