Artwork

Portrait of Julia Telyakovskaya

Portrait of Julia Telyakovskaya, by Gavriil Yakovlev, oil, 1848
Portrait of Julia Telyakovskaya, by Gavriil Yakovlev, oil, 1848

Portrait of Julia Telyakovskaya is an oil painting by the Realist artist Gavriil Yakovlev. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

These elements highlight the sitter's status and personal style within the context of mid-19th-century Russian portraiture.

The painting depicts Julia Telyakovskaya, née Kanshina, as the sole main subject. As a formal portrait, the work captures her likeness while emphasizing specific personal adornments. The iconography includes details such as a bracelet and other jewelry, which serve as focal points within the composition. These elements highlight the sitter's status and personal style within the context of mid-19th-century Russian portraiture.

Technique & Style

The painting is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 89.4 cm in height and 71.3 cm in width. The handling reflects mid-19th-century academic portrait conventions, with smooth blending and subtle chiaroscuro to model the sitter’s features and the sheen of jewelry such as a bracelet.

The composition centers on Julia Telyakovskaya, rendered in a restrained palette that emphasizes naturalistic modeling over decorative excess. The formal qualities align with the period’s emphasis on refined elegance, evident in the controlled brushwork and polished surface typical of Russian Imperial portraiture of the 1840s.

History & Provenance

The painting was created in 1848 by Gavriil Yakovlev as a portrait of Julia Telyakovskaya, née Kanshina.

It entered the collection of the Hermitage Museum, where it remains located. Provenance records indicate continuous ownership by the Hermitage since acquisition, with no recorded private or intermediary owners between creation and its museum holding.

Overview

Gavriil Yakovlev’s oil portrait, completed in 1848, presents Julia Telyakovskaya, born Kanshina, seated before a dark red drapery. She is dressed in a white, short‑sleeved gown accented by a green floral motif, and holds a bouquet in her lap. The composition combines a refined interior with a distant landscape of water and mountains visible through an opening on the left.

Context

The portrait was produced during a time when Russian aristocratic families commissioned personal likenesses to affirm social rank and lineage. Yakovlev, active in the mid‑1800s, contributed to this genre, aligning his work with contemporary expectations of realism and decorative refinement.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Gavriil Yakovlev

Gavriil Yakovlev (1819–1862) was an artist, born in Kostroma Governorate.

Hermitage Museum

Museum

Hermitage Museum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Hermitage Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of Julia Telyakovskaya?

Portrait of Julia Telyakovskaya was painted by Gavriil Yakovlev in 1848-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of Julia Telyakovskaya?

Portrait of Julia Telyakovskaya is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of Julia Telyakovskaya?

Portrait of Julia Telyakovskaya is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Julia Telyakovskaya?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Julia Telyakovskaya are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.