Untitled (painted portrait of man) 1955

Robert Burian created this painted portrait of a man without a known date. Its meaning is elusive. It invites us to consider the social and cultural context in which portraits are made and displayed. The man's formal attire and serious expression suggest someone of high social standing in his time. The portrait format, a framed rectangle hung in a domestic setting, emphasizes the sitter's wealth, status, and familial legacy. However, without knowing the sitter's identity, we can only speculate about his role in society. The negative image complicates any conclusions we may have about the man. This reversal might be read as a critique of the traditional norms that would have dictated the creation and display of the portrait. Art historians use many resources to contextualize portraits like this one, including archival records, genealogical research, and period literature. These sources can help us understand the social function of portraiture.