Portrait of Haji Mohamed Hachem 1931

Alexandre Jacovleff rendered "Portrait of Haji Mohamed Hachem" using crayon and pencil, a medium that lends itself to both precision and textural richness. The composition is immediately striking, focusing on the subject's head and shoulders against a muted background, which throws into relief the man’s intense gaze and strong features. Jacovleff masterfully uses color to define form and mood. The somber tones of the turban and vest are offset by the vibrant shawl, where stripes of blue, red, and green create a dynamic interplay. The artist's choice of medium allows for a nuanced rendering of skin tones, capturing the play of light and shadow on the subject’s face. The hatching and cross-hatching in the shawl, create a tactile sense of depth, drawing the eye across the surface. This technique emphasizes the materiality of the artwork itself. The overall effect is a study in contrasts. A testament to Jacovleff’s ability to use simple means to create a work of profound visual and cultural resonance, inviting ongoing interpretation.