Artwork
Portrait of Vasily Botkin
Portrait of Vasily Botkin is an oil painting by Kirill Gorbunov. It dates from 1843 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of Vasily Botkin is an 1843 oil painting by Kirill Gorbunov, housed in the State Hermitage Museum. The work depicts its subject engaged in a creative activity, set against a somber backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures Vasily Botkin in contemplative concentration, holding a small brush and sitting before marked paper, suggesting an artistic or drafting pursuit. A statue in the dark background adds depth, while Botkin's serious expression conveys focus.
Technique & Style
Gorbunov executed the portrait using oil paint, characteristic of 19th-century Russian portraiture. The use of a dark background contrasts with the subject's attire, particularly the white cuffs, drawing attention to Botkin's hands and face.
History & Provenance
Created in 1843 by Kirill Gorbunov, a Russian painter and lithographer from Penza Oblast, the portrait has been part of the State Hermitage Museum's collection.
Context
This work reflects Gorbunov's contribution to 19th-century Russian portraiture, a period where such artworks often highlighted the sitter's profession or interests.
Legacy
As part of the Hermitage's collection, Portrait of Vasily Botkin remains accessible for study, offering insights into both Gorbunov's technique and the cultural context of Russian portraiture during its time.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Kirill Antonovich Gorbunov (Russian: Кири́лл Анто́нович Горбуно́в; 1822 (1815?), Vladikino, Penza Oblast — 8 November 1893, Pushkin) was a Russian portrait painter and lithographer.
