This powerful pastel study by Peter Howson presents a striking portrait that is both unsettling and deeply compelling. Rendered on dark paper, it focuses on a male figure in an intense, highly expressive state. The subject’s face, dramatically lit from the side, reveals deeply etched lines and exaggerated features, capturing a raw, almost primal emotion that demands attention.
Howson’s masterful attention to muscular detail and facial anatomy lends the figure a sculptural, almost tactile presence. The glowing, reddish tones accentuate the figure’s strained, haunted expression, intensifying the emotional weight of the piece. Known for his exploration of both human strength and vulnerability, Howson invites viewers to confront the often uncomfortable depths of human emotion, challenging them to reflect on the fine line between power and fragility.
This work exemplifies Howson’s unflinching ability to convey complex emotional states with both brutality and sensitivity, drawing viewers into an intimate encounter with the human condition.
| Medium: | Pastel |
| Format: | Paper |
| Size (Framed): | 17.5 x 14.5" |
| Size (Unframed): | 8 x 6" |
| Signed: | Yes |
| Condition: | Excellent |
| Provenance: | Original sales invoice |
Although he was born in London, Peter Howson is perhaps most strongly associated with Glasgow, the city where he grew up, studied art, and has found inspiration for his ongoing examination of the human condition.
Howson had a troubled upbringing, which has notably impacted his style and subject matter. His clear-eyed view of those areas of society which do not always find representation in the art world has gained him acclaim both from critics, and from those who can see themselves and their struggles in his works.
Howson’s work has received attention throughout his career, and his success has grown since he was made artist in residence for the university of St Andrews in 1985. In 1993, he was made Britain’s official war artist for the Bosnian Civil War. He received an OBE for his work in 2009, and has work represented in some of the best known galleries in the world.
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