Artwork

Pyotr Brock

Pyotr Brock, by Nikanor Tyutryumov, oil, 1861
Pyotr Brock, by Nikanor Tyutryumov, oil, 1861

Pyotr Brock is an oil painting by the Realist artist Nikanor Tyutryumov. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1861, this oil on canvas portrait by Russian artist Nikanor Tyutryumov presents the figure of Piotr Brok. The work is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection and is noted for its restrained composition, which isolates the sitter against a uniform dark backdrop, emphasizing his presence.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Piotr Brok dressed in a dark red military uniform adorned with numerous medals, suggesting a career of distinction. His solemn expression, framed by glasses and a high collar, conveys a sense of authority and restraint, typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century official portraiture.

Technique & Style

Tyutryumov employs a restrained palette, allowing the deep black background to amplify the contrast between the richly textured fabric and the sitter’s face. Fine brushwork renders the metallic sheen of the medals and the subtle folds of the jacket, while the smooth treatment of the skin highlights the artist’s skill in rendering likeness.

History & Provenance

Since its completion, the painting has remained within Russian institutional holdings, eventually entering the State Hermitage Museum’s archives. Its documentation traces a continuous ownership record, confirming its authenticity and situating it among the museum’s broader collection of 19th‑century Russian portraiture.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Nikanor Tyutryumov

Artist

Nikanor Tyutryumov

Nikanor Tyutryumov (1821–1877) was an artist, born in Tikhvinsky Uyezd.

Hermitage Museum

Museum

Hermitage Museum

Continue through works from the same source collection.

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