Artwork

Portrait of Alliksandr I. Bibikov

Portrait of Alliksandr I. Bibikov, by Fyodor Rokotov, oil, 1781
Portrait of Alliksandr I. Bibikov, by Fyodor Rokotov, oil, 1781

Portrait of Alliksandr I. Bibikov is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Fyodor Rokotov. It dates from 1781 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. Created around 1781, *Portrait of Alliksandr I.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1781, *Portrait of Alliksandr I. Bibikov* is an oil painting by Fyodor Rokotov, a Russian artist who rose to prominence after gaining his freedom from serfdom. The work is characteristic of Rokotov's portraits of the Russian elite and is now part of the State Hermitage Museum's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Alliksandr I. Bibikov, a military figure, identified by his ornate green uniform with gold embroidery and a blue sash. His pose, with one hand on a sword and the other supporting his chin, conveys a sense of contemplative authority. Accompanying symbols—a helmet and a map on the ground—further emphasize his military role.

Technique & Style

The painting exemplifies the Rococo style with its refined yet ornate elements, particularly in the detailed rendering of the uniform's embroidery and gold accents. Rokotov's use of chiaroscuro creates depth, focusing attention on the subject and adding dimensionality to the portrait.

History & Provenance

Painted in the late 18th century, after Rokotov's liberation from serfdom in the late 1750s and his studies at the Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts, the portrait reflects the artist's established position among the Russian aristocracy's preferred portraitists. It is currently housed in the State Hermitage Museum.

Context

Emerging from the Russian artistic scene of the 18th century, this portrait reflects the influence of European Rococo on Russian art, tailored to the tastes of the nobility. Rokotov's background, from serfdom to acclaim, also contextualizes the piece within the social mobility possible through art at the time.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of *Portrait of Alliksandr I. Bibikov* are not highlighted, as part of Rokotov's oeuvre, it contributes to the artist's reputation for capturing the essence of Russia's 18th-century elite in the Rococo tradition, influencing subsequent Russian portrait painting.

Artist & collection

Artist

Fyodor Rokotov

Fyodor Stepanovich Rokotov (Fedor Rokotov) (Russian: Фёдор Степа́нович Ро́котов; 1736 – December 24, 1808) was a Russian painter who specialized in portraits.

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.