Who painted Portrait of Nikolai V. Ilovaisky (1772/73-1838) (5th)?

Portrait of Nikolai V. Ilovaisky (1772/73-1838) (5th) was painted by George Dawe in 1823.

Where can I see Portrait of Nikolai V. Ilovaisky (1772/73-1838) (5th)?

Portrait of Nikolai V. Ilovaisky (1772/73-1838) (5th) is held by Hermitage Museum.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Nikolai V. Ilovaisky (1772/73-1838) (5th)?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Nikolai V. Ilovaisky (1772/73-1838) (5th) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Nikolai V. Ilovaisky (1772/73-1838) (5th)

George Dawe , 1823

Portrait of Nikolai V. Ilovaisky (1772/73-1838) (5th) is an oil painting by George Dawe. It dates from 1823 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1823, this oil portrait depicts Nikolai Vasilievich Ilovaisky, a senior Russian officer, rendered by the English artist George Dawe. The canvas presents the sitter in a dark uniform adorned with gold epaulettes and several medals, set against a subdued green backdrop that isolates the figure and emphasizes his formal bearing.

Subject & Meaning

Ilovaisky is shown with neatly arranged curls, a trimmed moustache, and a composed expression, suggesting both his military authority and personal dignity. The array of decorations on his chest indicates a high rank, likely reflecting his service during the Napoleonic conflicts and the esteem accorded to him within the Russian armed forces.

Technique & Style

Dawe employs a gentle chiaroscuro, allowing soft light to fall on the officer’s face and shoulders while the background recedes into muted tones. The brushwork is precise in the rendering of uniform details—gold epaulettes, medals, and fabric folds—yet retains a subtle looseness that conveys the texture of the subject’s skin and hair.

History & Provenance

The portrait was produced after Dawe settled in Saint Petersburg in 1819, a period when he was commissioned to document Russian military leaders. It entered the State Hermitage Museum’s collection, where it remains part of the institution’s extensive holdings of early‑19th‑century Russian portraiture.

Own this work as a print

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

Continue through works from the same source collection.