#37659 Monzon

Here we observe a portrait drawing executed primarily in graphite with touches of red pigment. The subject is a man depicted from the chest upwards, facing directly toward the viewer. His expression conveys a sense of weariness and quiet contemplation; the lines around his eyes and mouth suggest age and experience.
The artist has rendered the face with considerable detail, emphasizing the texture of the skin through careful shading. Noticeable are the prominent ears and the slightly furrowed brow, contributing to an overall impression of seriousness or perhaps melancholy. The hair is sketched in a loose, almost chaotic manner, contrasting with the precision given to the facial features.
The red pigment appears as vertical strokes along the neck and collar area, adding a subtle vibrancy that prevents the drawing from becoming entirely monochromatic. These lines also serve to frame the face, directing attention toward the subjects gaze. The paper itself exhibits signs of age or handling; faint stains are visible across its surface, lending an air of authenticity and history to the work.
Beneath the portrait, a handwritten inscription in Spanish reads Hombre del Sur, which translates to “Man from the South.” This textual element provides a contextual clue, suggesting that the subject is representative of a particular region or cultural identity. The signature, located near the bottom right corner, indicates the artist and the year of creation (1932).
The drawing’s subtexts potentially revolve around themes of resilience, hardship, and regional identity. The mans weathered appearance suggests a life lived under challenging circumstances, while the inscription hints at a connection to a specific geographical location and its associated cultural values. It is possible that the work aims to capture not just a likeness but also an essence – a portrait of a person embodying the spirit of his place of origin.