Who painted Portrait of Sergei Yakovlev?

Portrait of Sergei Yakovlev was painted by Vladimir Borovikovsky.

Where can I see Portrait of Sergei Yakovlev?

Portrait of Sergei Yakovlev is held by Hermitage Museum.

Artwork

Portrait of Sergei Yakovlev

Portrait of Sergei Yakovlev is an oil painting by Vladimir Borovikovsky. It is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Vladimir Borovikovsky’s oil portrait of Sergei Yakovlev, created circa 1850, exemplifies the artist’s sustained engagement with elite portraiture. Executed in the traditional medium of oil on canvas, the work presents a solitary figure against a richly colored backdrop, reflecting the conventions of Russian court portraiture that Borovikovsky helped define during Catherine the Great’s reign.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown in a dark coat trimmed with a vivid red collar, his left hand resting on a stack of books and a prominent silver pendant hanging from his chest. A ring on his right hand and the scholarly objects suggest a status linked to education or official duties, while the shadowy figure behind him adds a subtle narrative depth.

Technique & Style

Borovikovsky employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, contrasting the illuminated face and attire with the deep red background. This handling of light and shadow creates a three‑dimensional presence and emphasizes the textures of fabric and metal. The painter’s brushwork remains smooth and controlled, typical of his refined approach to courtly portraiture.

History & Provenance

The portrait is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection, where it has been displayed as a representative example of early‑19th‑century Russian portraiture. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader effort to preserve works by artists who shaped the visual culture of Catherine’s court and its successors.

Artist & collection

Artist

Vladimir Borovikovsky

Vladimir Lukich Borovikovsky (August 4 1757 – April 18 1825) was a Russian artist of Ukrainian Cossack origin. He served at the court of Catherine the Great and dominated portraiture in Russia at the turn of the 19th century.

Museum

Hermitage Museum

Continue through works from the same source collection.