Portrait of Nikita Petrovich Panin as a child Petr Sokolov (1753-1791)

The composition presents a young boy in outdoor attire, leaning casually against a stone wall. He is dressed in a green hunting suit with elaborate detailing around the collar and cuffs, suggesting considerable wealth and social standing. His powdered wig, typical of the period, further reinforces this impression. The boy holds two fowling pieces, one resting on the ground beside him, while his gaze is directed towards the viewer with an expression that appears both confident and slightly detached.
A hunting dog sits attentively at his feet, its posture suggesting loyalty and readiness for action. Several fallen birds lie near the dog, indicating a successful hunt. The landscape behind the boy is rendered in muted tones of blue and green, depicting a somewhat idealized rural scene with trees receding into the distance. A dark background frames the subject, drawing attention to him as the central focus.
The painting’s subtexts revolve around themes of youth, privilege, and nascent masculinity. The inclusion of hunting paraphernalia – the guns, the dog, the birds – implies an introduction to traditional aristocratic pursuits and a preparation for future responsibilities associated with his social class. The boys relaxed posture and direct gaze convey a sense of self-assurance that might be interpreted as both endearing and subtly challenging. He is presented not merely as a child but as someone destined for prominence, already embodying the qualities expected of him within his societal sphere.
The careful arrangement of objects – the guns, the dog, the fallen birds – functions to construct an image of controlled power and dominion over nature. The stone wall serves as both a prop and a symbolic barrier, suggesting a separation between the boy’s privileged world and the untamed landscape beyond. Overall, the work conveys a carefully orchestrated portrait designed to project an image of youthful nobility and future potential.