Who painted Peter the Great in His Studio?

Peter the Great in His Studio was painted by Konstantin Makovsky in 1870.

Where can I see Peter the Great in His Studio?

Peter the Great in His Studio is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Peter the Great in His Studio?

Peter the Great in His Studio is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Peter the Great in His Studio?

Museum-quality prints of Peter the Great in His Studio are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Peter the Great in His Studio

Konstantin Makovsky , 1870

Peter the Great in His Studio is an oil painting by the Realist artist Konstantin Makovsky. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Konstantin Makovsky’s 1870 oil painting, *Peter the the Great in His Studio*, presents the Russian monarch in a domestic setting. Rendered in a realist manner, the work shows the tsar in a green coat with red cuffs, a white scarf, and dark hair, standing amid a cluttered workshop while a dog looks up at him.

Subject & Meaning

The composition places Peter II in a study surrounded by tools, papers, a red chair and a bookshelf, suggesting a moment of quiet reflection away from his public duties. The inclusion of the dog and the scattered objects creates an intimate atmosphere that humanizes the ruler, emphasizing personal contemplation over grandiose state imagery.

Technique & Style

Makovsky combines the academic training he received at the Moscow School and the Imperial Academy with the realist approach of the Peredvizhniki movement. The painting’s precise brushwork and careful modeling of textures—such as the sheen of the coat and the fur of the dog—reflect a blend of scholarly technique and naturalistic observation.

History & Provenance

Created during Makovsky’s mature period, the canvas entered the collection of the State Hermitage Museum, where it remains on display. The work exemplifies the artist’s interest in historical subjects rendered with genre‑scene detail, aligning with his broader oeuvre that often merged Russian history with everyday life.