Artwork

Portrait of Count Pavel Stroganov as A Child

Portrait of Count Pavel Stroganov as A Child, by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, oil, 1790
Portrait of Count Pavel Stroganov as A Child, by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, oil, 1790

Portrait of Count Pavel Stroganov as A Child is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jean-Baptiste Greuze. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of Count Pavel Stroganov as a Child is an oil painting created by French artist Jean-Baptiste Greuze in 1790. The work is part of the Rococo movement and is now housed in the State Hermitage Museum.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Pavel Alexandrovich Stroganov, a young noble, with a serious expression. His attire—a white lace collar, dark vest, and striped shirt—reflects his wealthy background. The composition focuses attention on the subject’s face.

Technique & Style

Greuze employed strong chiaroscuro, contrasting light and dark to emphasize the boy’s features. The dark, blurred background further accentuates the subject, while the lighting highlights the texture of his clothing and the styling of his curly red hair.

History & Provenance

Commissioned in 1790, the painting’s early history is not detailed here, but it is currently part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection.

Context

As a Rococo piece, the painting reflects the movement’s emphasis on intimacy, detail, and the everyday lives of the elite, though here focused on a youthful subject.

Legacy

While specific influences or direct artistic legacies of this portrait are not highlighted, it contributes to Greuze’s reputation for nuanced, expressive portraits within the Rococo tradition.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jean-Baptiste Greuze

Artist

Jean-Baptiste Greuze

Jean-Baptiste Greuze (French pronunciation: , 21 August 1725 – 4 March 1805) was a French painter of portraits, genre scenes, and history painting.

Hermitage Museum

Museum

Hermitage Museum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Hermitage Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.