Who painted Portrait of Ilya Yamnik (1781 - after 1833)?

Portrait of Ilya Yamnik (1781 - after 1833) was painted by George Dawe in 1828.

Where can I see Portrait of Ilya Yamnik (1781 - after 1833)?

Portrait of Ilya Yamnik (1781 - after 1833) is held by Hermitage Museum.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Ilya Yamnik (1781 - after 1833)?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Ilya Yamnik (1781 - after 1833) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Ilya Yamnik (1781 - after 1833)

George Dawe , 1828

Portrait of Ilya Yamnik (1781 - after 1833) is an oil painting by George Dawe. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

George Dawe’s 1828 oil portrait portrays Ilya Yamnik, a Russian military officer, standing before a plain stone wall. The composition presents the sitter in full dress uniform, rifle in hand, gazing directly at the viewer with a solemn expression. The work is held in the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.

Subject & Meaning

Yamnik is shown in a black military jacket trimmed with gold, a tall black hat with gold braid and a feather, and a rifle grasped with both hands. The restrained background and direct gaze emphasize his rank and duty, while the serious demeanor reflects the conventions of early‑19th‑century officer portraiture.

Technique & Style

Dawe employs a smooth, meticulous brushwork typical of his portrait practice, rendering the metallic sheen of the uniform and the texture of the stone wall with precise detail. The palette is restrained, dominated by dark tones and gold accents that highlight the subject’s attire without distracting from his facial features.

History & Provenance

Born to mezzotint engraver Philip Dawe, the English artist moved to Russia in 1819 and quickly became a favored portraitist of the Imperial military. During his Russian career he produced over three hundred portraits for the Winter Palace’s Military Gallery. This particular portrait entered the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings, where it remains on display.

Context

The painting belongs to a broader series of portraits Dawe created for the Russian elite, documenting the appearance and status of officers during the post‑Napoleonic era. Such works served both as personal commemorations and as visual records of the empire’s military hierarchy.

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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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