Portrait of Prince George Lvov 1920

Alexandre Jacovleff made this portrait of Prince George Lvov using what looks like sanguine or red chalk. The medium gives it a softness, a gentleness that feels very human. Look at the way the artist uses the chalk; it's all about building up tone, creating depth with these almost feathery strokes. The texture of the paper comes through, making the drawing feel alive, like a breath on the surface. See how the lines around the head almost dissolve into the background? It’s like the prince is emerging from a dream, or maybe fading away. This kind of drawing reminds me of the old masters, like Leonardo, who were also obsessed with capturing the inner life of their subjects through subtle gradations of light and shadow. It's a quiet, thoughtful piece, one that invites you to contemplate the fleeting nature of existence.