Artwork

Portrait of Ivan Morosov

Portrait of Ivan Morosov, by Konstantin Korovin, oil, 1903
Portrait of Ivan Morosov, by Konstantin Korovin, oil, 1903

Portrait of Ivan Morosov is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Konstantin Korovin. It dates from 1903 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Konstantin Korovin’s 1903 oil portrait of Ivan Morosov is part of the Tretyakov Gallery’s holdings. Executed in the early twentieth‑century Russian Impressionist idiom, the painting presents a solitary figure against a muted, earth‑toned backdrop, employing subtle color shifts to convey atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, Ivan Morosov, appears in a dark suit with a crisp white shirt and a small white flower pinned to his lapel. His gaze meets the viewer directly, and his composed, firm‑lined mouth suggests a restrained, perhaps contemplative demeanor, inviting reflection on the individual’s social standing and inner character.

Technique & Style

Korovin applies oil paint with loose, yet controlled brushwork characteristic of Impressionism, allowing light to model the face while the surrounding tones dissolve into blended reds and greens. The contrast between illuminated facial features and the subdued background creates depth, emphasizing the psychological presence of the subject.

History & Provenance

Painted shortly after Korovin’s return from Paris, the portrait entered the Tretyakov Gallery’s collection, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to documenting Russian artistic developments of the early 1900s, particularly the influence of Western Impressionist techniques on native painters.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Konstantin Korovin

Artist

Konstantin Korovin

Konstantin (Constantin) Alekseyevich Korovin (Russian: Константи́н Алексе́евич Коро́вин; 5 December 1861 – 11 September 1939) was a leading Russian Impressionist painter.

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