Artwork

Portrait of Count Vladimir Bobrinsky, Lieutenant of the Life-Guards Hussar Regiment

Portrait of Count Vladimir Bobrinsky, Lieutenant of the Life-Guards Hussar Regiment is an oil painting by the Realist artist Konstantin Makovsky. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

This 1890 oil painting by Konstantin Makovsky portrays Count Vladimir Bobrinsky, a lieutenant in the Life-Guards Hussar Regiment, in formal military attire. The work exemplifies Realist tendencies, characteristic of Makovsky's association with the Peredvizhniki movement.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait focuses on the Count's dignified presence, emphasized by the meticulous depiction of his ornate, gold-braided uniform and the sword with a red and gold hilt. The overall composition conveys a sense of military honor and personal dignity.

Technique & Style

Makovsky employs chiaroscuro to create a three-dimensional effect, with golden accents on the uniform and sword hilt catching the light against a plain, dark background. This contrasts highlights the subject's facial expression and the textures of the uniform.

History & Provenance

Created in 1890, the portrait is now part of the State Hermitage Museum's collection, reflecting Makovsky's contribution to Russian Realism alongside his other works, such as *Beneath the Crown* (1889).