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Artwork

Portrait of Yegor M. Pillar (1767-1830)

George Dawe , 1822

Portrait of Yegor M. Pillar (1767-1830), by George Dawe, oil, 1822
Portrait of Yegor M. Pillar (1767-1830), by George Dawe, oil, 1822

Portrait of Yegor M. Pillar (1767-1830) 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 Georg Ludwig Pilar von Pilchau, a Russian officer, in a dark uniform accented by gold epaulettes, a red collar, and a prominent gold star. The figure gazes directly at the viewer, set against a muted brown backdrop, emphasizing his rank and demeanor.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, Yegor M. Pillar, is shown with a medallion and other decorations that signal his military status within the Russian Empire. The composition underscores the dignity of service, reflecting the early‑19th‑century emphasis on personal honor and the visual language of official portraiture.

Technique & Style

Dawe employs a restrained palette, using chiaroscuro to model the officer’s features and the sheen of his medals. The brushwork is smooth and precise, typical of his portrait practice, allowing the textures of fabric and metal to be rendered with clarity.

History & Provenance

After moving to Saint Petersburg in 1819, Dawe became a favored portraitist among Russian elites, notably completing 329 generals’ portraits for the Winter Palace’s Military Gallery. This particular work entered the State Hermitage Museum’s collection, where it remains on display.

Artist & collection

Portrait of George Dawe

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.

Hermitage Museum

Museum

Hermitage Museum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Hermitage Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Hermitage Museum. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.