Uncle Joan 1889

"Uncle Joan" is a painting by Joan Brull, a Catalan artist who lived from 1863 to 1912. Painted in 1889, the artwork depicts a man, possibly the artist's uncle, in a dark, dimly lit space. The figure is positioned in a three-quarters pose and appears to be holding an object, likely a pipe, in his right hand. The muted tones and minimal details create a sense of intimacy and evoke a feeling of solitude. This genre of portraiture, characterized by its naturalistic depiction of everyday life and working class individuals, was a popular subject among realist artists of the 19th century.