Portrait of Folk Akyn Zhambyl

Description

Author: Kasteyev, Abylkhan. 1904-1973
A portrait of the distinguished Kazakh folk akyn-improviser Zhambyl Zhabayev, rendered in a decorative-realistic style. The white-bearded elder is depicted sitting cross-legged on a carpet, wearing a green chapan and a fur-trimmed cap, holding a dombra in his hands. The background reveals the traditional interior of a yurt - a carved chest adorned with Kazakh ornamentation, topped with stacked korpe (quilts) and cushions. The animated turn of his figure and the expressive gesture of making music capture the image of an inspired folk bard in a moment of creation. The color palette relies on a rich harmony of the green chapan with the warm ochre-red accents of the carpet and quilts. The decorative detailing of the ornaments, the clarity of the composition, and the keen attention to the character of the model align the work with the tradition of realistic portraiture.At the lower right - signature and date.