Attributed To Armand Point (algiers 1860 – 1932 Naples) - Portrait Of A Man

Attributed to Armand Point (Alger 1860 – 1932 Naples)
Portrait of a Man

Pencil on paper, 15.3 x 11 cm

Monogram upper right: interlaced "AP"

Provenance:
Private collection

This expressive portrait sketch, attributed to the French Symbolist artist Armand Point, captures with remarkable immediacy the thoughtful gaze of a bearded man, distinguished by his monocle and formal attire. Executed in pencil, the drawing is marked by confident, fluid lines and dense shading, conveying both the sitter’s features and the mood of introspective quietude. The monogram "AP" in the upper right corner corresponds with known signatures of Armand Point, reinforcing the attribution.

Point, born in Algiers and active in France, was a prominent figure within the Symbolist movement. Deeply influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the Renaissance masters, he sought to revive beauty and spiritual idealism in opposition to modern industrialism and materialism. His works often reflect a refined aestheticism, blending medieval mysticism with Art Nouveau elegance. While Point is chiefly known for his allegorical paintings and meticulous decorative compositions, his graphic works, including drawings, reveal his technical discipline and subtle emotional sensitivity.

This particular portrait stands apart from his more elaborate symbolist scenes, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into his abilities as a draftsman. The psychological presence of the sitter is rendered with striking economy, suggesting a familiarity or personal connection between artist and model. Likely drawn from life, the work demonstrates a confident mastery of form and chiaroscuro, qualities often overshadowed in Point’s more ornate works. This sketch not only enhances our appreciation of his broader oeuvre but also situates him among the fin-de-siècle artists who maintained the primacy of hand-drawn line in an era of artistic transformation.