Artwork

Portrait of General Count V.А.Perovsky

Portrait of General Count V.А.Perovsky, by Vasilij Raev, oil, 1839
Portrait of General Count V.А.Perovsky, by Vasilij Raev, oil, 1839

Portrait of General Count V.А.Perovsky is an oil painting by the Realist artist Vasilij Raev. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts General Count Vasily Perovsky, serving as the main subject of this 1839 oil portrait by Vasilij Raev.

The work depicts General Count Vasily Perovsky, serving as the main subject of this 1839 oil portrait by Vasilij Raev. The iconography focuses on the sitter's military status, portraying him in a dress uniform and holding a sword. These visual elements function as symbols of his rank and role within the Russian court and armed forces, emphasizing his authority and official standing during that period.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1839 by Vasilij Raev, this portrait is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 74.5 cm in height and 54.5 cm in width. Stylistically, the piece functions as a formal portrait depicting General Count Vasily Perovsky in his dress uniform, complete with a sword.

The composition focuses on the subject's military attire and status, adhering to the conventions of official portraiture of the period. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

History & Provenance

The portrait of General Count V. A. Perovsky was painted by Vasilij Raev in 1839, executed in oil on canvas in Russia. The work was created during Raev's active period as a portraitist and depicts Perovsky in dress uniform with a sword.

The painting entered the collection of the Hermitage Museum, where it remains held. A documented exhibition appearance includes its inclusion in "Jewels! The Glitter of the Russian Court," indicating the work has been featured in a curated display beyond its permanent collection context.

The sources do not provide further details on the circumstances of the commission, the original patron, or any intermediate ownership before the Hermitage acquisition.

The Portrait of General Count V.A. Perovsky is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum in Russia. Created by Vasilij Raev in 1839, the oil-on-canvas work depicts the subject in dress uniform with a sword. The painting was exhibited as part of the show titled Jewels! The Glitter of the Russian Court.

Legacy

The portrait of General Count V.А.Perovsky by Vasilij Raev exerted modest influence on early Russian military portraiture, shaping academic approaches to uniform representation through its precise rendering of dress uniform and sword attributes. Its inclusion in the Hermitage Museum collection cemented Raev's reputation as a capable genre painter within imperial circles, while its display in the exhibition Jewels! The Glitter of the Russian Court amplified public awareness of the work and reinforced the cultural significance of Russian aristocratic iconography in the 19th century

Overview

Created in 1839 by Vasily Egorovich Raev, a member of the Imperial Academy of Arts, this oil painting portrays General Count Vasily Perovsky in full dress uniform. Executed in a realistic manner, the portrait is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection and exemplifies early‑19th‑century Russian portraiture of military figures.

Context

The painting reflects a broader trend in 19th‑century Russia of commemorating high‑ranking officers through formal portraiture. Such works served both as personal commemorations and as visual affirmations of loyalty to the state, situating the subject within the ceremonial environment of a richly appointed interior.

Portrait of General-Adjutant Count Vasily Alekseevich Perovsky
Portrait of General-Adjutant Count Vasily Alekseevich Perovsky, Karl Bryullov

Artist & collection

Portrait of Vasilij Raev

Artist

Vasilij Raev

Vasily Egorovich Raev (Russian: Васи́лий Его́рович Ра́ев; 1808–1871) was a Russian painter and member of the Imperial Academy of Arts.

Hermitage Museum

Museum

Hermitage Museum

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of General Count V.А.Perovsky?

Portrait of General Count V.А.Perovsky was painted by Vasilij Raev in 1839-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of General Count V.А.Perovsky?

Portrait of General Count V.А.Perovsky is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of General Count V.А.Perovsky?

Portrait of General Count V.А.Perovsky is associated with Realism.