Vasily IvanovichGarpe, Russian Major General 

"Vasily Ivanovich Garpe, Russian Major General" is a portrait by George Dawe, painted in the early 19th century. Dawe was commissioned to paint portraits of the Russian generals who participated in the Napoleonic Wars. Garpe's portrait is part of a series intended to celebrate Russian military prowess and national identity after the victory over Napoleon. Yet, we might consider the cost of such valor. What sacrifices were made by the soldiers, their families, and the broader society to achieve this victory? What did it mean to be a man, a soldier, and a hero in this specific historical context? Consider the weight of the medals on his chest, each one representing battles fought and lives potentially lost. Dawe’s portraits invite us to reflect on the complexities of heroism and the human cost of war.