Portrait of Count Lev Kirillovich Razumovsky Vladimir Borovikovsky (1757-1825)

The portrait presents a man in three-quarter view, his gaze directed towards the viewer with a measured intensity. He is positioned against a dark, indistinct background that allows for a focus on his features and attire. The lighting is carefully orchestrated; it illuminates the face and upper torso while leaving the surrounding areas shrouded in shadow, creating a sense of depth and highlighting the contours of his visage.
The man’s complexion appears pale, accentuated by the stark white cravat and shirt collar that frame his neck. A neatly tied bow adorns the front of his shirt, suggesting an attention to detail and adherence to social conventions. His hair is styled in a fashionable manner for the period – powdered and swept back from the forehead, with visible graying at the temples, hinting at maturity and experience. The dark coat he wears further reinforces this impression of established status.
The artist has rendered the man’s expression as one of quiet dignity and intelligence. Theres a subtle hint of melancholy in his eyes, which lends an air of introspection to the portrayal. The mouth is closed, suggesting restraint and composure.
Subtleties within the painting suggest more than a simple likeness. The deliberate use of shadow contributes to a sense of gravitas, implying a man of importance and perhaps some degree of secrecy or complexity. The quality of the fabric depicted in his clothing – the sheen of the coat, the crispness of the linen – indicates wealth and privilege. The overall effect is one of understated elegance and refined character; it’s not an image intended to be overtly flamboyant but rather to convey a sense of inherent worth and social standing.