Who painted Portrait of I.P. Novosiltsev?

Portrait of I.P. Novosiltsev was painted by Nikolai Sverchkov in 1845.

Where can I see Portrait of I.P. Novosiltsev?

Portrait of I.P. Novosiltsev is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of I.P. Novosiltsev?

Portrait of I.P. Novosiltsev is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Portrait of I.P. Novosiltsev

Nikolai Sverchkov , 1845

Portrait of I.P. Novosiltsev is an oil painting by the Realist artist Nikolai Sverchkov. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1845 by Nikolai Sverchkov, a Russian artist affiliated with the Imperial Academy of Arts, this oil-on-canvas work depicts I.P. Novosiltsev mounted on a chestnut horse. The painting belongs to the realist tradition and is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents the sitter in a dark coat, top hat, and polished riding boots, seated upright on a horse captured in mid‑stride. The rider’s relaxed grip on the reins and the animal’s flowing mane suggest a poised yet dynamic presence, emphasizing both personal stature and equestrian skill.

Technique & Style

Sverchkov employs a realistic approach, rendering the glossy surfaces of the boots and horse’s coat with careful attention to light. The background is rendered in soft, blurred tones, allowing the figures to dominate the visual field while maintaining a sense of atmospheric depth.

History & Provenance

Since its completion, the portrait has remained in Russian institutional holdings, ultimately entering the State Hermitage Museum’s collection, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s 19th‑century Russian art holdings.

Artist & collection

Artist

Nikolai Sverchkov

Nikolai Yegorovich Sverchkov (Russian: Николай Егорович Сверчков; 1817–1898) was a Russian painter who specialized in genre and hunting scenes with horses. He was also a member of the Imperial Academy of Arts.