Portrait of Ilya Bolotowsky (1930) by William H. Johnson

The artwork, titled “Portrait of Ilya Bolotowsky,” was created by the artist William H. Johnson in the year 1930. This piece is an exemplification of the Expressionism movement, characterized by its vivid portrayal of human emotions and subjective perspectives. The genre of this artwork is a portrait, focusing on an individual subject.

The artwork presents a man with prominent, exaggerated facial features, captured in a contemplative pose. The subject’s elongated face, large eyes, and angular lines are rendered with a distinctive brushwork and dark, almost somber palette that epitomizes the emotional intensity of Expressionism. The background is kept abstract and muted, drawing the viewer’s attention to the intricacies of the subject’s expression and form. The use of deep, rich colors and the application of paint create a sense of depth and dimensionality, further enhancing the evocative nature of the portrait. The overall composition reflects the artist’s skill in conveying a profound sense of character and mood through his expressive technique.

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