Portrait of Manolo Hugué 1897 - 1899

Ramón Casas captured this portrait of Manolo Hugué using charcoal and pastel. The composition is dominated by the figure's full-body depiction. The somber palette, a mix of browns, blacks, and grays, conveys a contemplative mood, and the texture, achieved through visible strokes, adds depth and immediacy. Casas masterfully uses line and form to define Hugué’s presence. The figure is structured with a network of strokes that delineate the contours of his clothing and body, yet the lack of a distinct background isolates him, drawing focus to his figure as the primary signifier. The hat, suit and waistcoat, become cultural signs which subtly communicate Hugué's identity and status. By leaving areas of the drawing unfinished, Casas challenges the traditional conventions of portraiture. The visible, gestural marks, remind us that we are observing not just a likeness but a constructed image, open to interpretation and reevaluation.