Portrait of a Man 1973

John Bratby’s ‘Portrait of a Man’ is a compelling study in oil paint, defined by bold colors and expressive brushstrokes. The composition is dominated by the sitter's intense gaze, which holds the viewer captive. Bratby employs a raw, almost aggressive application of paint. Thick impasto creates a tactile surface, lending a sculptural quality to the portrait. The dynamic brushwork and vibrant colors of the background—swathes of yellow, green, and purple—contrast with the figure's more subdued palette. The subject's blue jacket and dark trousers are rendered with thick marks, conveying texture and form, whilst challenging conventional portraiture's concern with precise likeness. The overall effect is one of immediacy and emotional intensity. Bratby uses the formal qualities of his medium not to idealize, but to confront the viewer with the raw energy of human presence. This approach aligns him with the broader post-war exploration of existential themes in art.