Portrait Of Lieutenant Alexandre Weissgerber De Stragéwicz As A Child, 1887

The painting "Portrait of Lieutenant Alexandre Weissgerber de Stragéwicz as a Child" by Albert Edelfelt is an evocative work that captures the youthful presence of its subject with a nuanced sense of maturity. The subject, a young boy named Alexandre Weissgerber de Stragéwicz, is depicted seated with a relaxed yet formal posture, suggesting both the innocence of his age and the beginnings of a cultivated gentleman.He wears a tailored grey suit with a double-breasted jacket adorned with buttons, paired with a crisp white shirt and a distinctive large black bow at his neck. His light brown hair is neatly combed, and his expression is one of gentle contemplation, his eyes gazing directly out at the viewer, creating a connection that transcends the two-dimensional plane of the painting.Alexandre holds a small red book gently in one hand, resting on his lap, indicating perhaps an interest in literature or learning, which enhances the portrayal of his character as thoughtful and introspective. The background of the painting is subdued and dark, focusing all attention on Alexandre and giving the portrait a dramatic and intimate atmosphere.Overall, Edelfelt's skillful use of light and shadow, along with his meticulous attention to the detail of the subject’s attire and pose, imbues the portrait with a sense of dignity and profound depth, capturing a moment of childhood poised on the cusp of adulthood.