Who painted Portrait of Nikolai A. Chicherin (1771/73-1837) (1st)?

Portrait of Nikolai A. Chicherin (1771/73-1837) (1st) was painted by Unknown in 1822.

Where can I see Portrait of Nikolai A. Chicherin (1771/73-1837) (1st)?

Portrait of Nikolai A. Chicherin (1771/73-1837) (1st) is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of Nikolai A. Chicherin (1771/73-1837) (1st)?

Portrait of Nikolai A. Chicherin (1771/73-1837) (1st) is associated with Neoclassicism.

Artwork

Portrait of Nikolai A. Chicherin (1771/73-1837) (1st)

Unknown , 1822

Portrait of Nikolai A. Chicherin (1771/73-1837) (1st) is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Unknown. It dates from 1822 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. The work is an oil portrait depicting a man in a dark military uniform accented with gold trim and buttons.

About this work

Overview

The work is an oil portrait depicting a man in a dark military uniform accented with gold trim and buttons. He wears a fur‑lined collar and a star‑shaped medal on his chest, set against a warm red‑orange background that fades into a subtle greenish sky at the upper edge. The figure’s composed expression and meticulous attire indicate a position of authority.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is identified as Nikolai A. Chicherin (1771/73‑1837), a figure of the Russian military establishment. The inclusion of the star medal and the formal dress underscores his rank and service, while the sober demeanor conveys the decorum expected of an officer in the early nineteenth‑century imperial milieu.

Technique & Style

Rendered in oil, the portrait combines smooth, detailed brushwork on the face with broader handling of the uniform’s fabric and the luminous background. Gold accents on the trim catch light, and the fur‑lined collar is depicted with fine strokes that suggest texture. The overall palette balances deep shadows with the warm, almost glowing backdrop.

History & Provenance

The painting forms part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection of early nineteenth‑century Russian portraiture. It is catalogued as the first version of the portrait of Chicherin, indicating that additional copies or studies may exist, though specific acquisition details are not provided in the source material.