Artwork
Portrait of the Saltykov Family

Portrait of the Saltykov Family is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Johann Friedrich August Tischbein. It dates from 1793 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Johann Friedrich August Tischbein's 'Portrait of the Saltykov Family' is an oil painting created in 1793, now part of the State Hermitage Museum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts four members of the Saltykov family in a dimly lit interior. The composition includes a kneeling woman in red with a fan, a seated woman in blue with a basket, a standing woman in pale yellow leaning on a chair, and a man in a dark coat standing to the right, holding a hat. Their poses and attire suggest a portrayal of familial intimacy and status.
Technique & Style
Tischbein emphasized textiles and lighting, using chiaroscuro to achieve depth. The contrast between vibrant colors and a dark background creates a soft, glowing effect on the subjects' faces and clothing.
History & Provenance
Created in 1793, the painting is currently housed at the State Hermitage Museum, though its history between creation and acquisition is not detailed here.
Context
The work reflects late 18th-century European portraiture trends, focusing on capturing the sitters' social standing and personal relationships within a carefully composed domestic setting.
Legacy
While specific influence or notable exhibitions are not highlighted, the painting remains a representative example of Tischbein's work and late 18th-century portraiture in a major museum collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Friedrich August Tischbein
Johann Friedrich August Tischbein, known as the Leipziger Tischbein was a German portrait painter from the Tischbein family of artists.


















