Portrait of Claude Antoine Charles Favre 1877

Paul Gauguin painted this portrait of Claude Antoine Charles Favre in 1877. At first glance, the painting draws us in with its formal composition of a man set against a dark red background. The color choice creates a somewhat unsettling mood, intensified by the somber expression of the portrait's subject. Gauguin uses visible brushstrokes and a limited color palette, giving the painting a sense of depth and texture. The sitter's face is modeled with careful attention to light and shadow. The overall effect is one of introspection and quiet intensity. The formal elements of this painting, especially its color and texture, invite contemplation about the sitter's inner state, and points to a broader cultural interest in psychology and the individual experience. The portrait is more than a representation; it is an invitation to question and explore the layers of meaning within the painted surface.