Vasili Vasilievich Vereshchagin

V.V. Vereshchagin, Ocherki, nabroski, vospominaniya, Sankt Peterburg: Tipografiya ministerstva putei soobsheniya, 1883, p.83, illustrated engraving titled Evrei v Buka

The canvas has been relined. There is a light layer of surface dirt and slightly discoloured varnish. There is a minor area of paint loss to the lower left edge and some light paint abrasion along the other edges. There are fine lines of craquelure visible in places. UV light reveals some retouching to the sitter's eyebrows and beard with a few spots elsewhere (e.g the edge of his kippah). Held in a gold painted wooden frame with mouldings. Unexamined out of frame.
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In 1883, Vereshchagin came across the small village of Buka during his extensive travels across the Caucasian region. His host Bii took the artist to visit the local bazaar. The artist was fascinated by the rich variety on offer, writing in his journal: I bought some little things, but mostly, looked at the prices and studied the faces of the merchants.’ (V.V.Vereshchagin, Ocherki, nabroski, vospominaniya, Sankt Peterburg: Tipografiya ministerstva putei soobsheniya, 1883, p.84). The present portait of a Jewish merchant in an ornamented kippah is a superb example of Vereshchagin's interest in ethnography.