Who painted Portrait of Fabian Gottlieb von der Osten-Sacken (1752-1837)?

Portrait of Fabian Gottlieb von der Osten-Sacken (1752-1837) was painted by George Dawe in 1822.

Where can I see Portrait of Fabian Gottlieb von der Osten-Sacken (1752-1837)?

Portrait of Fabian Gottlieb von der Osten-Sacken (1752-1837) is held by Hermitage Museum.

Artwork

Portrait of Fabian Gottlieb von der Osten-Sacken (1752-1837)

Portrait of Fabian Gottlieb von der Osten-Sacken (1752-1837) is an oil painting by George Dawe. It dates from 1822 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

George Dawe’s 1822 oil portrait presents Fabian Gottlieb von der Osten‑Sacken in full military regalia. The sitter, an elderly officer with white hair, gazes to his right against a muted brown backdrop. His dark coat is trimmed with gold epaulettes, a blue sash, and an array of medals, conveying rank and experience without ornamental excess.

Subject & Meaning

Fabian Gottlieb von der Osten‑Sacken (1752‑1837) served the Russian Empire during the Napoleonic Wars, notably in the 1812 campaign. The portrait emphasizes his martial authority and steadfastness through the solemn expression and the meticulous display of honors, reflecting the era’s emphasis on personal valor and the state’s reliance on seasoned commanders.

Technique & Style

Dawe employs a realistic approach, rendering the texture of fabric, metal, and skin with precise brushwork. Light falls softly on the face, highlighting the lines of age, while the dark background isolates the figure, enhancing the three‑dimensional presence. The composition balances detail in the uniform with a restrained palette, typical of early‑19th‑century Russian portraiture.

History & Provenance

After moving to Saint Petersburg in 1819, Dawe was commissioned to produce 329 portraits of Russian generals for the Military Gallery of the Winter Palace. This work, completed in 1822, entered the State Hermitage Museum’s collection, where it remains displayed as part of the gallery’s documentation of the empire’s military leadership.

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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