Artwork

Portrait of Pyotr M. Volkonsky (1776-1852) (replica of the 1823 portrait)

Portrait of Pyotr M. Volkonsky (1776-1852) (replica of the 1823 portrait) is an oil painting by George Dawe. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. This oil portrait presents General Pyotr M.

About this work

Overview

This oil portrait presents General Pyotr M. Volkonsky, a senior officer of the Russian army during the Napoleonic wars. Rendered in a restrained palette, the figure stands against a muted brown backdrop, his expression solemn and composed. The composition emphasizes his rank through the detailed uniform, medals, and insignia, offering a formal visual record of a distinguished military career.

Subject & Meaning

Volkonsky is shown in full dress uniform, complete with gold epaulets, a high collar, and a blue sash, all hallmarks of a high‑ranking officer. The medals displayed on his left side reference his service and honors, underscoring his role in defending Russia during the 1812 invasion and his continued prominence in the post‑war military hierarchy.

Technique & Style

The work demonstrates George Dawe’s precise brushwork and careful modeling of textures, from the sheen of the fabric to the polished metal of the decorations. The muted background isolates the sitter, while the subtle chiaroscuro gives the portrait a three‑dimensional presence, characteristic of early‑19th‑century Russian portraiture influenced by Western academic conventions.

History & Provenance

Originally painted in 1823, Dawe produced this 1825 replica for a Russian patron. After Dawe’s relocation to Saint Petersburg in 1819, he quickly earned the approval of the Imperial Academy and literary circles, including Alexander Pushkin. The replica now belongs to the State Hermitage Museum, where it remains part of the collection documenting Russia’s military elite.

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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