The Old Man 

Here we see "The Old Man", a painting made with oil on canvas by Constantin Artachino. Looking closely, the material nature of oil paint gives the piece an exceptional depth, which is evident in the layered brushstrokes and the almost sculptural rendering of the figure's face and beard. The artist’s hand is palpable. The social context of this work is harder to pinpoint due to the lack of a specific date, yet the sensitive portrayal of the subject suggests a connection to the social realism movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Oil painting was traditionally seen as a high art, but Artachino is using this ‘fine art’ medium to focus on a working class individual. There's a clear dignity and respect given to the subject, implying a commentary on the value of labor and individual worth. When we think about the painting’s material qualities, the artist is in conversation with labor, class, and value within a society. This reveals important aspects of the artwork that may be otherwise overlooked.