Who painted Field Marshal Barclay de Tolly.?

Field Marshal Barclay de Tolly. was painted by George Dawe in 1829.

Where can I see Field Marshal Barclay de Tolly.?

Field Marshal Barclay de Tolly. is held by Hermitage Museum.

Artwork

Field Marshal Barclay de Tolly.

Field Marshal Barclay de Tolly. is an oil painting by George Dawe. It dates from 1829 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

George Dawe’s 1829 oil portrait presents the Russian Field Marshal Barclay de Tolly in full military regalia. The figure stands against a neutral backdrop, his stern gaze directed forward, emphasizing the gravitas of his rank. The composition focuses on the subject’s uniform, medals, and facial features, delivering a clear, formal representation typical of early‑19th‑century official portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

Barclay de Tolly, a prominent commander during the 1812 French invasion of Russia, is depicted in the attire of a senior officer, complete with a blue coat, gold epaulettes, and a high collar. The inclusion of his campaign medals underscores his service and the esteem in which he was held by the Russian state, while his composed expression conveys disciplined authority.

Technique & Style

Dawe employed the oil medium to achieve a high degree of realism, rendering textures such as fabric sheen, metal insignia, and the subject’s thinning hair with precise brushwork. The palette is restrained, dominated by blues and muted earth tones, allowing the gold details of the epaulettes and medals to stand out. The smooth background enhances the three‑dimensionality of the figure.

History & Provenance

After relocating to Saint Petersburg in 1819, Dawe was commissioned to produce a series of portraits for the Military Gallery of the Winter Palace, ultimately creating 329 likenesses of Russian generals. This portrait of Barclay de Tolly formed part of that collection. Dawe completed the work in the year of his death, 1829, and it remains associated with the Winter Palace’s historic gallery.

Artist & collection

Artist

George Dawe

George Dawe (6 February 1781 – 15 October 1829) was an English portraitist who painted 329 portraits of Russian generals active during Napoleon's invasion of Russia for the Military Gallery of the Winter Palace.

Museum

Hermitage Museum

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