Artwork
Portrait of Merchant D.P.Botkin
Portrait of Merchant D.P.Botkin is an oil painting by the Realist artist Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. The oil painting depicts a bearded man in a dark coat trimmed with a vivid red lining.
About this work
Overview
The oil painting depicts a bearded man in a dark coat trimmed with a vivid red lining. He holds a small, round object in his left hand while his right hand rests on his chest, set against an unadorned dark background that concentrates attention on his visage and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter appears to be a merchant, suggested by his attire and the object he grasps, possibly a token of trade such as a coin or seal. The pose, with the hand on the chest, conveys a sense of personal pride or affirmation, typical of portraiture intended to assert status.
Technique & Style
The work employs chiaroscuro, using soft, directed lighting to model the face and coat, creating a three‑dimensional effect. The contrast between the deep shadows and the bright red lining highlights the garment’s detail and adds visual focus to the figure.
History & Provenance
The painting is titled "Portrait of Merchant D.P. Botkin" and is executed in oil on canvas. No further provenance details are provided in the source material.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
