Who painted Portrait of Count G.I.Golovkin?

Portrait of Count G.I.Golovkin was painted by Ivan Nikitich Nikitin in 1720.

Where can I see Portrait of Count G.I.Golovkin?

Portrait of Count G.I.Golovkin is held by Tretyakov Gallery.

What movement is Portrait of Count G.I.Golovkin?

Portrait of Count G.I.Golovkin is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Count G.I.Golovkin?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Count G.I.Golovkin are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Count G.I.Golovkin

Ivan Nikitich Nikitin , 1720

Portrait of Count G.I.Golovkin is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Ivan Nikitich Nikitin. It dates from 1720 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1720, this oil portrait by Ivan Nikitich Nikitin presents the Russian statesman Gavriil Golovkin. Executed in the decorative Rococo idiom, the work now belongs to the Tretyakov Gallery’s permanent collection and exemplifies early‑18th‑century Russian portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, Count G.I. Golovkin, is shown with a solemn gaze, his long, curled hair framing a dignified expression. His attire—a brown coat trimmed with gold detailing and a blue ribbon at the throat—signals his high rank and the formal status he occupied within the imperial administration.

Technique & Style

Nikitin employed the rich, layered qualities of oil paint to render fine textures, from the sheen of the coat’s gold accents to the subtle modeling of the subject’s facial features. The composition reflects Rococo’s preference for elegance and refined surface treatment while maintaining a realistic likeness.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the portrait entered the private holdings of the Golovkin family before eventually being acquired by the Tretyakov Gallery, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s representation of early Russian art.

Context

Nikitin, active in the first decades of the 1700s, was among the few Russian artists capable of integrating Western stylistic currents with local portrait traditions. His work on this painting contributed to the gradual emergence of a distinct Russian visual culture during Peter the Great’s reign.