Portrait of Count F.V. Rostopchin Orest Adamovich Kiprensky (1782-1836)

Description of the painting "Portrait of Rostopchin" by Orest Kiprensky

Orest Adamovich Kiprensky worked for the glory of his country. At international art exhibitions abroad, the artist positioned himself as an ambassador of Russian art. He was a master of portrait painting. He painted many famous people: generals, writers, poets. One of his famous paintings was the portrait of the politician Rostopchin.

Count Rostopchin was a patron of the artist, more than once gave him selfless help and support. Kiprensky often visited the famous Rostopchin Salon, which gathered the whole color of Moscow. Rostopchin was a famous personality who made a successful career during the reign of Peter the Great. During the French attack on Moscow the count was the commander-in-chief of the city. Rostopchin actively participated in the rescue of state property, but also contributed to the destruction of Moscow by fire, so that it did not go to the French. Many people know about Rostopchin from the famous book War and Peace, which describes a caricatured image of the count. In fact, Rostopchin is a versatile person, which is what Kiprensky tried to demonstrate in his picture.

The portrait of the count was created in 1809. In the process of writing the picture the artist followed the traditions of strict chamber portrait of the 18th century. The viewer of the canvas is not presented the external entourage (clothing or figure), but the inner world of man. Not a single detail in the picture hints at the high status of the man. The Count is dressed like most high society people of his time. He’s wearing a classic dark overcoat and a white shawl neatly tied around his neck. Neutral clothes and calm brown background do not distract from the contemplation of the model.

In the picture you can see the face of a noble and educated man. His high forehead gives away his natural intelligence. Rostopchin looks like an open, calm and reasonable man.