Zahar Dmitrievich Olsufjev, Russian General 

George Dawe painted this portrait of Zahar Dmitrievich Olsufjev, a Russian General, sometime in the early 19th century. Dawe, an English portrait artist, gained considerable recognition in Russia for his portraits of generals who participated in the Napoleonic Wars. However, it is worth remembering that these portraits are more than just depictions of individual men. They reflect the complex social hierarchies and power dynamics that defined the Russian Empire at the time. Olsufjev, adorned with his many medals, presents an image of power and authority, yet his slightly melancholic expression hints at the personal costs of war and service. In that sense, Olsufjev’s portrait oscillates between the personal and the political, embodying both individual experience and the broader narratives of Russian military history.