Chez Tortoni

What you see

A man in a top hat and black coat sits at a table, writing on a sheet of paper. He glances up at us sideways, as if someone has just interrupted him. On the left, a tall window lets in the light, and beside it stands a glass of golden drink. The right side of the picture sinks into darkness.

The paint is loose and direct: the window is made of bands of white, greenish gray and lilac, and the coat is almost a single black mass. Pink touches make the face and hands stand out. Look for the golden pen between his fingers and for the light catching the glass.