1864
oil on canvas
195 x 138

At the same time as Realism, the Academic tradition continued to develop in Russian painting attracting the attention of a large part of the public. K.E. Makovsky was the best known representative of Academism: his artistic legacy is huge. This portrait of Countess Stroganova was done in an impressive, romanticized manner which somewhat idealized the model. With rare virtuosity Makovsky drew the details of the clothing, the lace parasol and the foliage framing the figure. The brilliant surface of the canvas and the somewhat smoothed down shining application of paint and the well regulated picture made Makovsky the creative heir to Briullov in the eyes of contemporaries and the artist was very proud to be seen in that way.

at 10, Lavrushinsky Lane, Hall 22