Artwork
Mikhail Fjodorovitj (1613-45), russisk zar
Mikhail Fjodorovitj (1613-45), russisk zar is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1675 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work, attributed to the early‑17th‑century Russian painter Mikhail Fjodorovitj, depicts a crowned ruler astride a white horse.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition features the monarch alongside a horse, establishing his status as a ruler and military leader.
Created in 1675, this portrait depicts Michael I of Russia, the tsar who reigned from 1613 to 1645. The composition features the monarch alongside a horse, establishing his status as a ruler and military leader. A Christian cross is also prominently included within the scene, serving as a key iconographic element that underscores the subject's role as a defender of the Orthodox faith and highlights the intersection of secular power and religious devotion in his reign.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Mikhail Fjodorovitj, depicting the Russian tsar alongside a horse and a Christian cross, was created in 1675. This work is attributed to an unknown artist and is cataloged as painting KMS 1401 within the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The inception date is recorded as January 1, 1675, establishing the specific year of its creation.
No further details regarding the original commission, the identity of the patron, or the specific chain of ownership prior to its current location are provided in the available records.
The painting is housed in the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst, with the accession number KMS 1401. It was created in 1675 and has been part of exhibitions at the museum, though specific exhibition titles are not detailed in the sources. The work depicts Michael I of Russia and measures 455 cm in height by 409 cm in width.
Context
Mikhail Fjodorovitj was a Russian tsar depicted in a 1675 portrait that belongs to the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work shows Michael I of Russia on horseback with a Christian cross and was classified as a portrait genre painting. Scholarship situates the work within the broader context of 17th‑century Russian court portraiture, reflecting the political symbolism of the Romanov dynasty.
The painting’s composition and iconography have been examined in studies of Russian Baroque portraiture and its role in legitimizing autocratic authority.
Overview
The work, attributed to the early‑17th‑century Russian painter Mikhail Fjodorovitj, depicts a crowned ruler astride a white horse. Set against a muted gold field, the figure is rendered in formal, static pose, clutching a cross in one hand and a sword in the other. The composition emphasizes regality through elaborate dress, gilded tack, and a stark, almost barren landscape.
Technique & Style
Executed with a restrained palette, the painting relies on chiaroscuro to model the figure and horse against the flat background. Gold leaf or pigment highlights the bridle, saddle and decorative elements, creating a contrast between the luminous accessories and the subdued tones of the cloak and armor. The overall effect is one of formal court portraiture typical of early Romanov visual culture.
Artist & collection
