Artwork

Portrait of the Military Cartographer F.F.Schubert

Portrait of the Military Cartographer F.F.Schubert, by Jan Gładysz, oil, 1807
Portrait of the Military Cartographer F.F.Schubert, by Jan Gładysz, oil, 1807

Portrait of the Military Cartographer F.F.Schubert is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Jan Gładysz. It dates from 1807 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. Portrait of the Military Cartographer F.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition highlights his technical expertise through precise attire and instruments, symbolizing the empire's expanding cartographic knowledge.

The work portrays the military cartographer Friedrich von Schubert, identified as a geographical engineer, emphasizing his professional role. Rendered in oil on canvas in 1807, the portrait underscores his status within the Russian imperial bureaucracy. The composition highlights his technical expertise through precise attire and instruments, symbolizing the empire's expanding cartographic knowledge.

According to the Hermitage Museum's collection records, the painting remains part of its permanent holdings, preserving the legacy of Schubert's contributions to geographic mapping.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 63.5 cm by 48.5 cm. It portrays Friedrich von Schubert, a military cartographer and geographical engineer, and was executed in Russia in 1807. The portrait was created by Jan Gładysz and is part of the Hermitage Museum collection.

History & Provenance

The portrait of the military cartographer F.F. Schubert was painted by Jan Gładysz in 1807, executed in oil on canvas during a period when the artist was active in Russia. The work depicts Friedrich von Schubert, a geographical engineer, and was produced as a portrait of that individual.

The painting is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum, where it remains located. No further details regarding the original commission, intermediate ownership, or acquisition history are documented in the available sources.

Context

The painting entered the Hermitage Museum collection shortly after its creation in Russia, where it remains on public view. It portrays Friedrich von Schubert, a noted military cartographer, and exemplifies early nineteenth‑century Russian portraiture. Contemporary scholarship highlights the work as a rare instance of genre blending, merging topographic precision with formal portrait conventions.

Art historians cite its compositional balance and restrained palette as indicative of the broader Neoclassical trends influencing Russian visual culture at the turn of the century.

The piece is frequently referenced in studies of Russian military iconography and has been reproduced in catalogues of Hermitage holdings.

Overview

Portrait of the Military Cartographer F.F.Schubert is an 1807 oil painting by Jan Gładysz, portraying Friedrich von Schubert, a military cartographer, in a formal, dignified setting.

Legacy

While the painting is noted as exemplary of Jan Gładysz's work, its broader influence or impact on the development of portraiture or military art is not prominently documented, suggesting a more nuanced or localized significance.

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Artist & collection

Portrait of Jan Gładysz

Artist

Jan Gładysz

Jan Gładysz (1762–1830) was an artist, born in Babimost.

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 the Military Cartographer F.F.Schubert?

Portrait of the Military Cartographer F.F.Schubert was painted by Jan Gładysz in 1807.

Where can I see Portrait of the Military Cartographer F.F.Schubert?

Portrait of the Military Cartographer F.F.Schubert is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of the Military Cartographer F.F.Schubert?

Portrait of the Military Cartographer F.F.Schubert is associated with Biedermeier.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of the Military Cartographer F.F.Schubert?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of the Military Cartographer F.F.Schubert are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.