Artwork

Portrait of A.I. Novikova (? )

Portrait of A.I. Novikova (? ), by Dmitry Levitzky, oil, 1798
Portrait of A.I. Novikova (? ), by Dmitry Levitzky, oil, 1798

Portrait of A.I. Novikova (? ) is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Dmitry Levitzky. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. Portrait of A.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of A.I. Novikova (?) is an 18th-century oil painting by Dmitry Levitzky, a prominent Ukrainian-born Russian artist. Created in 1798, the work exemplifies the neoclassical style in portrait painting.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, tentatively identified as A.I. Novikova, is depicted as a man with short, curly white hair, dressed in a dark green coat with red lapels and a white, high-collared shirt. His neutral expression and direct gaze engage the viewer, while the obscured left arm and resting right hand suggest a contemplative or introspective pose.

Technique & Style

Levitzky's mastery is evident in the painting's nuanced use of light and shadow, achieving depth and subtlety in the subject's features. The dark, indistinct background contrasts with the detailed, lifelike portrayal of the sitter, highlighting the artist's neoclassical emphasis on clarity and precision.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the State Hermitage Museum's collection, though the subject's definitive identification as A.I. Novikova remains tentative.

Context

As a neoclassical portrait, the work reflects late 18th-century artistic values, emphasizing realism, simplicity, and moral integrity. Levitzky's position as an academician influenced his adherence to these stylistic principles.

Legacy

While specific impact of 'Portrait of A.I. Novikova (?)' on the broader art historical canon is not prominently noted, it contributes to the understanding of Levitzky's oeuvre and the neoclassical movement in late 18th-century Russia.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Dmitry Levitzky

Artist

Dmitry Levitzky

Dmitry Grigoryevich Levitzky or Levitsky (Russian: Дмитрий Григорьевич Левицкий; Ukrainian: Дмитро Григорович Левицький; 24 May 1735 – 16 April 1822) was a Ukrainian-born Russian portrait painter and academician.

Hermitage Museum

Museum

Hermitage Museum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Hermitage Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.