Portrait of a Ndebele Man - Tretchikoff Print

The painting initially listed as "Portrait d'homme" when first auctioned in France in 2007 provides a fascinating insight into Vladimir Tretchikoff's work, as it stands out from his typical practice of giving his paintings specific titles. What makes this portrait particularly intriguing is its rarity in the absence of clear visual cues that identify the model's ethnicity, social status, or occupation, which is a departure from Tretchikoff's usual approach.

Tretchikoff was known for his meticulous portrayal of various people, often depicting them as urban contemporaries engaged in various roles, such as street musicians or newspaper sellers. Alternatively, he would create what can be seen as ethnographic "types," meticulously documenting the characteristic attire of specific ethnic groups. However, the "Ndeblele Man" deviates from this convention. In this painting, there are no evident features or clothing that would indicate the man's cultural or social background. Instead, the central focus is on the subject's facial expression, which is enigmatic and contemplative. The man gazes out beyond the picture plane, as if lost in thought or pondering something beyond the frame.

An intriguing aspect of this painting emerges when considering Boris Gorelik's suggestion that this portrait is part of a diptych, with the second piece being a portrait titled "Ndebele Woman." The Ndebele Woman's portrait is set against a similar red background with distinctive wavy white lines. She, too, maintains a frontal position but directs her gaze to the left. Placing the two portraits side by side reveals a striking interaction between the two figures. They seem to be looking at each other, implying a connection or conversation that transcends the confines of the canvas.

Together, they seem to tell a story or convey a sense of connection between two individuals from different walks of life. Tretchikoff's ability to capture this essence and create a silent dialogue between his subjects is a testament to his skill as an artist and his talent for evoking emotion and curiosity through his work.