Mihail Fyodorovich Naumov, Russian General 

George Dawe painted this portrait of Mihail Fyodorovich Naumov, a Russian General, in the early 19th century. The image functions as a kind of status symbol, showing the General in full military dress. Paintings like this were part of a broader visual culture that helped to solidify social hierarchies. In the Russia of this period, military service was a key avenue for social advancement, and portraits like this reinforced the power and prestige of the military elite. The Hermitage Museum itself, as a repository of such images, played a role in enshrining these values. As art historians, we can look at sources from the period – military records, social registers, and even fashion plates – to better understand the social world that produced this image and the values it represents. By doing so, we can understand the politics of imagery and the social conditions that shape artistic production.