Portrait of Ivan Shakhovskoy 1825

Curator: The eyes! They really pull you in, don't they? A piercing gaze. Editor: They do. This is George Dawe’s *Portrait of Ivan Shakhovskoy*, painted in 1825. The social context is key here: Shakhovskoy was a major general during the Napoleonic Wars, and this painting captures a particular moment in the construction of Russian national identity in the wake of that conflict. Curator: Yes, absolutely. Look at the way Dawe emphasizes the awards and decorations on his uniform. It speaks volumes about status, power, and service to the empire. Beyond that though, what do you think about his likeness? Editor: He seems every bit the Romantic hero, doesn’t he? The slightly dishevelled hair, the determined expression... I imagine that it served as a tool to portray masculinity and political ideologies. It feels so performative. Curator: You're right, there is definitely a construction of masculinity on display. It also serves as an indicator of class. This type of romantic portraiture in 19th-century Russia played a key role in how the aristocracy wanted to be seen. There is tension between the glorification of his military achievements and a softening effect with the play of light on his face. Editor: And Dawe was quite the celebrity portraitist in his own right, deeply entwined with the Russian court at the time. He didn't just record likenesses; he shaped them for public consumption. The public and private personae of powerful figures were carefully managed through art, it makes me wonder about Shakhovskoy's private life. Curator: It makes one consider his position in society beyond being an acclaimed military general. As we reflect on the artwork, it becomes apparent that portraits like these weren’t simply about appearances but are tied to political history and identity in that era. Editor: Yes, indeed. The dialogue this work inspires makes clear how the romantic artistic values were in constant conversation with societal forces at play, allowing us to read how political ideals and identities take shape, in his life and in ours.