Who painted Portrait of Karl G. Stahl (1777-1853)?

Portrait of Karl G. Stahl (1777-1853) was painted by George Dawe in 1822.

Where can I see Portrait of Karl G. Stahl (1777-1853)?

Portrait of Karl G. Stahl (1777-1853) is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of Karl G. Stahl (1777-1853)?

Portrait of Karl G. Stahl (1777-1853) is associated with British Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Karl G. Stahl (1777-1853)?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Karl G. Stahl (1777-1853) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Karl G. Stahl (1777-1853)

George Dawe , 1822

Portrait of Karl G. Stahl (1777-1853) is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist George Dawe. It dates from 1822 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1822, this oil portrait by George Dawe presents Karl Gustav von Staal in full military regalia. The figure dominates a dark, unadorned backdrop, his uniform highlighted by gold trim and an array of brightly colored medals. Dawe’s composition isolates the sitter, emphasizing rank and presence without extraneous detail.

Subject & Meaning

Karl G. Stahl, identified by his elaborate decorations, appears as a senior officer, likely reflecting his status within the early‑19th‑century Russian or German armed forces. The concentration on his medals and formal attire underscores notions of honor, duty, and the social prestige attached to military service during the period.

Technique & Style

Dawe employs a restrained palette, allowing the gold and vivid hues of the medals to stand out against the somber background. Soft modeling of the face through delicate chiaroscuro gives the portrait a three‑dimensional quality, while the crisp rendering of uniform details aligns the work with British Romantic portraiture’s focus on individual character.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the State Hermitage Museum’s collection, where it remains on view. Dawe, originally trained in England and the son of a mezzotint engraver, moved to Saint Petersburg in 1819, where his reputation for official portraiture grew, leading to commissions such as this depiction of Stahl.

Portrait of Karl Klodt von Jurgensburg (1765-1822), Unknown

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Artist & collection

Artist

George Dawe

George Dawe (6 February 1781 – 15 October 1829) was an English portraitist who painted 329 portraits of Russian generals active during Napoleon's invasion of Russia for the Military Gallery of the Winter Palace.