Portrait of the Life Hussar Colonel Yevgraf Vladimirovich Davydov. 1809 Oil on canvas. 162h116 RM Orest Adamovich Kiprensky (1782-1836)
Orest Adamovich Kiprensky – Portrait of the Life Hussar Colonel Yevgraf Vladimirovich Davydov. 1809 Oil on canvas. 162h116 RM
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Painter: Orest Adamovich Kiprensky
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Orest Adamovich Kiprensky painted a portrait of Davydov in 1809, when the wars with Napoleon were just beginning. This painting is a reflection of the prevailing poetic cult of the brave and strong hero at the time, ready to give his soul for the motherland. The portrait is associated with Denis Davydov because of his fame, although the caption suggests that it is Yevgeny V. Davydov, the poet’s less famous brother. The work itself is a ceremonial portrait of a young and dashing hussar with the rank of colonel.
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Description of the painting "Portrait of Davydov" by Orest Kiprensky
Orest Adamovich Kiprensky painted a portrait of Davydov in 1809, when the wars with Napoleon were just beginning. This painting is a reflection of the prevailing poetic cult of the brave and strong hero at the time, ready to give his soul for the motherland. The portrait is associated with Denis Davydov because of his fame, although the caption suggests that it is Yevgeny V. Davydov, the poet’s less famous brother.
The work itself is a ceremonial portrait of a young and dashing hussar with the rank of colonel. He is drawn full-length, his posture is careless and somewhat picturesque. His costume is a red hussar’s uniform, white pants, and low boots. The hussar’s cape has been removed from his head and lies to the left of the hussar, and his saber is used as a support.
The colors used for his costume and the gloomy, preearthquake landscape that the Hussar is standing in front of only strengthen the impression of the painting’s character - he is a brave warrior, a man of duty, and a romantic dreamer. The hussar’s face is courageous and spiritual. Unlike other painters’ military portraits, Kiprensky does not focus on the brawling prowess of his character, but instead concentrates on revealing his personality.
Even today art historians are still arguing about who is depicted in this portrait - the famous Denis Davydov or his cousin Eugraf, who was also one of the heroes of the War of 1812. Both versions have their supporters. In favor of the first version is the fact that the sons of Denis Davydov called this work a portrait of their father and asked the art academy for permission to photograph it.
Some of the researches are of the opinion that the hussar depicted in the picture is a collective image of a Russian officer of those years, a hero of that turbulent time, which, in fact, was Denis Davydov.
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Davydov has a distinctive appearance with dark, tousled hair, a prominent mustache, and a confident, almost defiant expression on his face. The background is dark and somewhat indistinct, with hints of foliage and architectural elements to the left, and a shadowed, possibly stone structure to the right, casting a dramatic light on the subject. On the ground at the lower left, his plumed helmet and sword belt lie discarded, perhaps suggesting he has just returned from or is about to embark on a military engagement.
The subtext of the painting lies in its powerful portrayal of military valor and aristocratic elegance. Davydovs uniform signifies his high rank and service, while his proud posture and direct gaze convey a sense of courage, ambition, and perhaps a touch of romanticism associated with the Hussar tradition. The contrast between the rich military attire and the discarded ceremonial helmet might allude to the realities of war versus the pomp and circumstance of military life. The overall impression is one of a formidable and spirited individual ready for action.