Portrait of Alexander Pushkin - Orest Kiprensky

A classic 1827 oil portrait of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin by Orest Kiprensky, featuring the subject in a contemplative pose.

Orest Kiprensky completed this portrait of the poet Alexander Pushkin in 1827. It remains one of the most recognised images of the writer. The composition shows Pushkin in a half-length pose, his arms crossed over his chest. He wears a dark coat with a plaid scarf draped over one shoulder. The background is muted, featuring a small statue of a muse holding a lyre, which serves as a reference to his literary vocation.

Kiprensky employs a restrained palette, focusing on the contrast between the dark clothing and the lighter tones of the subject's face. The lighting is directed to draw attention to Pushkin's features, particularly his eyes, which look away from the viewer. The brushwork is precise, characteristic of the artist's academic training, yet it captures a sense of the subject's internal temperament. The inclusion of the muse statue provides a classical element, aligning with the conventions of portraiture during the early nineteenth century.

This work was commissioned by Anton Delvig, a close friend of the poet. It captures Pushkin at a time when his reputation as a writer was firmly established. The portrait avoids excessive ornamentation, allowing the personality of the sitter to remain the primary focus. The physical condition of the painting reflects its age, with the subtle textures of the oil paint visible upon close inspection. It is currently held in the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. This fine art print reproduces the original composition, maintaining the tonal balance and the specific character of the brushwork found in the oil painting.