Portrait of the Artist

Portrait of the Artist depicts a close-up bust of an older man with light hair and a trimmed beard, set against a dark, nearly black background. The face is rendered with smooth, precise brushwork and warm skin tones, with subtle highlights that carve the features through gentle chiaroscuro; a small red detail sits on the dark clothing. The composition centers the head and shoulders in a straightforward, intimate pose, exhibiting Bouguereau’s polished Academic Realism style and restrained palette.