Fotoreproductie van een schilderij, voorstellende een portret van George Kennan before 1891

This reproduction of a painting, made by an anonymous artist, depicts George Kennan in what seems like a snow-covered landscape. Kennan, an American explorer and writer, gained prominence for his coverage of Siberia and its penal system in the late 19th century. His reports shed light on the brutal conditions faced by political prisoners exiled to Siberia. In this portrait, Kennan is wrapped in a fur coat and hat, holding a staff, a visual representation of his experiences in the region. The choice of attire and the snowy backdrop evoke the harsh environment. The portrait raises questions about representation, and how the West viewed and portrayed Russia and Siberia at the time. Kennan's work both exposed and reinforced certain narratives about Russian identity and governance.