Who painted Vasily Samoylov?

Vasily Samoylov was painted by Ivan Kramskoi.

Where can I see Vasily Samoylov?

Vasily Samoylov is held by Tretyakov Gallery.

What movement is Vasily Samoylov?

Vasily Samoylov is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Vasily Samoylov?

Museum-quality prints of Vasily Samoylov are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Vasily Samoylov

Ivan Kramskoi

Vasily Samoylov is an oil painting by the Realist artist Ivan Kramskoi. It is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Ivan Kramskoi’s 1891 oil portrait presents the actor Vasily Samoykov, rendered in a realistic manner characteristic of late‑19th‑century Russian painting. The work shows the sitter with white hair and a full beard, dressed in a black jacket over a white shirt with a ruffled collar, and a thin necklace. It is part of the Tretyakov Gallery’s collection in Moscow.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait captures Samoylov, a prominent stage performer whose career flourished during the reform era of Tsar Alexander II. By portraying him in dignified attire, Kramskoi emphasizes the actor’s social standing and the seriousness of his profession, reflecting the artist’s interest in depicting individuals as they appear in everyday life rather than as idealized types.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting demonstrates Kramskoi’s meticulous attention to surface texture and subtle tonal variation. The brushwork is precise, especially in rendering the fine details of the beard, hair, and fabric folds, while the overall composition remains restrained, focusing the viewer’s eye on the sitter’s face and expression.

History & Provenance

Created in 1891, the portrait entered the Tretyakov Gallery’s holdings, where it remains on display. The work has been documented as part of the museum’s core collection of Russian realist art, reflecting Kramskoi’s role in the Peredvizhniki movement and his contribution to the development of Russian portraiture.

Context

Kramskoi was a leading figure of the Peredvizhniki, a group of itinerant artists who sought to depict Russian society with honesty and social relevance. This portrait aligns with the movement’s goals by presenting a contemporary cultural figure without romanticizing his appearance, thereby offering a glimpse into the artistic climate of post‑Emancipation Russia.