Portrait of Karl F. Baggowut 1825

George Dawe painted this portrait of Karl F. Baggowut, a Russian military figure, sometime in the early 19th century. Dawe's portrait exemplifies the way art served the Russian Imperial project. Here, Baggowut is depicted with the visual codes of military authority: note the elaborate gold epaulettes, the dark green uniform, and the medals. These details associate him with power and prestige and thus contributed to the public image of the Russian military. We might ask ourselves, what was the purpose of such an image? What was the status of someone important enough to be displayed in the Hermitage? Historians can study military records, genealogical information, and other primary sources to understand the social context of this portrait. The meaning of the image is thus contingent on Baggowut's biography and the institutions he inhabited.