Bogdan Borisovich Gelfrykh 

Curator: This portrait, residing here at the Hermitage Museum, depicts Bogdan Borisovich Gelfrykh. The artist is George Dawe. Editor: Immediately, the subject’s gaze strikes me – distant, perhaps lost in thought. There’s a palpable tension between the man and the imposing uniform. Curator: Absolutely. Dawe, a prominent portraitist, was known for his paintings of military figures, and Gelfrykh was no exception. The art world and its institutions like Royal families in Europe were in favour of immortalising their heroes in order to inspire. The sheer weight of those medals suggests something significant about status and achievements. Editor: And who was Gelfrykh? What story does he represent? Curator: That's where it gets interesting. Looking at history of military service at the time, it wasn’t just about combat. Military careers were avenues for upward mobility, social inclusion, and, indeed, self-definition, particularly for men like Gelfrykh from modest backgrounds. These decorations symbolize how social stratification worked through displays of loyalty and achievement. Editor: So the artist Dawe is doing more than recording a likeness. He’s participating in a social theatre of recognition. What materials are we looking at? The painting's execution is interesting here. Curator: Oil on canvas, typical for portraits of this era. The rich color and brushwork showcase status but is the backdrop also showing some neutrality for a common subject. The texture created does evoke this romantic air, while the medals catch the light, guiding your eye. This approach created the power associated with people of that status, a true testament to romanticism in the early nineteenth century. Editor: I'm also struck by how posed the picture is – and this tension seems symptomatic of constraints on individuality at the time – a feeling often seen at this period for anyone that wanted upward social mobility. The portrait embodies not just the individual, but societal expectations around power and status. Curator: Precisely, making this artwork not merely a depiction of a person but an entry point into broader societal narratives. Editor: In short, it gives pause for thought around questions of what social identity means, still a highly relevant question today.