Artwork
Portrait of Yelizaveta Paskaya-Sharapova

Portrait of Yelizaveta Paskaya-Sharapova is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Ivan Eremeevich Yakovlev. It dates from 1824 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Ivan Eremeevich Yakovlev’s 1824 oil painting, titled Portrait of Yelizaveta Paskaya‑Sharapova, is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection. The work presents a seated woman in a richly embroidered green dress, accompanied by a man in a patterned coat who holds a white hat behind her. The composition balances the figures against a muted backdrop, emphasizing the sitter’s presence.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is Yelizaveta Paskaya‑Sharapova, depicted with a poised demeanor, one hand resting on a red chair. Her hair is arranged in a smooth updo, suggesting a formal portraiture context. The secondary figure, a man in a decorative coat, may represent a companion or attendant, adding narrative depth and indicating social status.
Technique & Style
Yakovlev employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing soft shadows to model the woman’s facial features while the dark background recedes. The green dress is rendered with fine, silver‑thread embroidery that catches light, creating a tactile quality. Brushwork is delicate, especially in the rendering of fabric folds and the sheen of the man’s coat.
History & Provenance
Created in 1824, the portrait entered the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings, where it remains on display. Documentation links the work directly to Yakovlev’s early career, marking it as one of his documented commissions from the Russian aristocracy of the period.
Context
The painting reflects early‑19th‑century Russian portrait conventions, where elaborate attire and controlled lighting signified wealth and refinement. The use of oil on canvas allowed Yakovlev to achieve the luminous effect on the embroidered dress, aligning his practice with contemporary European techniques while maintaining a distinct Russian aesthetic.
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