Artwork

The Actor A.P.Lensky as Petruchio in Shakespeare's Comedy "The Taming of the Shrew"

The Actor A.P.Lensky as Petruchio in Shakespeare's Comedy "The Taming of the Shrew" is an oil painting by the Realist artist Ivan Kramskoi. It is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.

About this work

Overview

This 1892 oil painting by Ivan Kramskoi captures the actor Aleksandr Pavlovich Lensky as Petruchio from Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew'. The work is part of the Tretyakov Gallery's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Lensky in character, dressed in a dark velvet jacket with gold trim and gems, a white ruffled collar, and green gloves, with his arms crossed. The attire and hairstyle evoke a theatrical or historical context, reflecting the character's role in the Shakespearean comedy.

Technique & Style

Kramskoi's use of oil paint and attention to detail are characteristic of 19th-century Russian Realism, a style that emphasized direct observation and human expression. The painting's style is consistent with the Realist tradition, prioritizing truthful depiction over idealized representation.

History & Provenance

Painted in 1892 by Ivan Kramskoi, a leading figure of the Peredvizhniki movement, the work is now held in the Tretyakov Gallery. Kramskoi was a key figure in advancing socially engaged art during the reign of Tsar Alexander II.