Portrait of Fyodor F. Oerthel (1767/68-1825)

Dawe employs a somber color palette with a dark background to focus attention on the subject. The meticulous rendering of textures, from the uniform's gold buttons to the medals, showcases Dawe's attention to detail and realist approach.

Painted in Saint Petersburg in 1823, the work is part of the State Hermitage Museum's collection. Dawe, having gained local acclaim, drew on his experience painting hundreds of portraits for the Winter Palace's Military Gallery.

Created in the aftermath of Napoleon's invasion of Russia, the portrait reflects the era's military and political landscape. Dawe's artistic background, rooted in a family of artists, influenced his detailed, realistic style.

As one of Dawe's notable works from his Saint Petersburg period, the portrait contributes to the historical record of Russia's elite during a significant political and military time, alongside his other portraits of Russian leaders.