Aslanbek

The portrait depicts Aslan, the artist’s dorm‑mate—an architecture student from Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia. The strong, proud yet disarmingly open nature of this southern young man became the anchor for an expressive study that fuses ethnographic features with the raw energy of masculine strength, youthful daring, and sincerity.

Aslan inspired the artist with a natural ruggedness—severe but not harsh, physical yet warmed by genuine kindness. That inner contrast—sculpturally sharp features paired with gentle gestures and voice—forms the portrait’s core. Special emphasis falls on national dress: at the painter’s request Aslan produced a burka, the traditional Caucasian cloak. This garment lends the image a timeless, symbolic depth, pointing to roots, culture, and masculine honor.

The sittings took place at night—those hours when the city falls silent and dorm life pauses, allowing a true dialogue between artist and model. At times the sessions overlapped with Aslan’s workouts: sport, discipline, and bodily plasticity fed the visual language, helping the painter better understand both form and character.

What emerges is more than a study of a contemporary student; it is a conversation with time itself, a face that carries an entire region and a lineage shaped by tradition, resilience, and brotherhood. The portrait of Aslan is a memory of student days, shared rooms, friendship, and of people who leave their mark not through loud words but through integrity and authenticity.