Man in a green tailcoat

This striking portrait, painted in 1919, captures a man in formal attire, presented with an almost theatrical flair. The figure, dressed in a green tailcoat and a top hat, seems to emerge from a dark, indeterminate background, drawing all attention to his presence. Waliszewski, who had recently returned to Tbilisi after fighting in World War I, created this work during a period when he was deeply inspired by Russian Futurists, and you can sense that energy in the bold brushwork. The painting’s dramatic lighting emphasizes the textures of his clothing and the solemnity of his expression. It’s a compelling example of how early 20th-century artists were reinterpreting traditional portraiture, injecting it with modern sensibilities and a touch of the avant-garde.