Fresh cavalier. The morning of the official who received the first cross Pavel Fedotov (1815-1852)

Description of Pavel Fedotov’s painting The Fresh Cavalier

The painting was painted in 1846. This painting by P. A. Fedotov, The Fresh Cavalier, conveys to the viewer an episode in the life of an official. The official has received his first award, the Order, and is presented to us as the main character of the painting. His pride and haughtiness attracts the eye.

The artist depicted his character in a caricature that makes the viewer smile. After all, the order received by the official is the lowest award an official could receive at that time. But the main character, a petty official, sees this award as a promotion. He dreams of a different life.

The setting in the hero’s room is not rich and explains the hero’s reaction to such a low award.

The comicality of the image is due to the contrast of his image. The painting depicts him in a huge robe, barefoot, in curlers, standing in a squalid room. The robe is wearing an award. The serious expression on his face against the background of the robe and the domestic setting brings a smile. After all, the cavalier is bragging to his maid. Most likely he has no one else to show off his award. The look on the maid’s face is condescending. She has not stopped doing her daily chores, and is standing next to the chevalier, holding a boot in her hand.

The hero’s room is small, with many things piled on top of each other. On the dining table, which is probably also a work table, lies a sausage sliced on a newspaper. There are fish bones lying under the table. Every corner of the room is a mess, things piled on top of each other. A uniform is hanging on two chairs, and there are things lying around everywhere. On one of the chairs a cat is tearing up the upholstery.

The hero’s curlers and curling tongs, which lie here on the table, speak of the hero’s desire to be fashionable and well-groomed.

But all of the hero’s things, they are not properly cared for. The hero’s image and his desire to be higher in rank than he is looks ridiculous and ridiculous. Even the cat in the chair is thin and ungroomed.

The painting "The Fresh Cavalier" gives information about the life and traditions of the 1st half of the 19th century. There is irony and human emotion in it.