“Portrait of Peter III” is a classic depiction of a monarch in a majestic setting. It was painted by the artist Aleksey Petrovich Antropov in 1762. This image marked the beginning of a series of ceremonial portraits of Russian monarchs. The painting combines the traits of both Baroque and classicism. During the six-month reign of Peter III, Aleksey Antropov painted four similar portraits.
The portrait exists in two versions. One was painted for the Synod and is now kept in the State Russian Museum, while the other one was designed for the Senate and can now be found in the State Tretyakov Gallery. Before creating the large ceremonial portraits, the artist made a smaller study.
Aleksey Petrovich Antropov was an artist of the Synod and one of the first secular portraitists in Russia. In 1760, he received the title of Master of Painting. When the new emperor expressed a desire to have an official portrait, the Synod recommended Aleksey Antropov. The artist depicted the emperor wearing the uniform of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, in a dynamic pose, against the backdrop of a battle scene. The monarch was pleased with the portrait.
In one hand, Peter III holds a marshal’s staff, while the other rests on his belt at the hilt of his sword. In the background, a horse battle is depicted in an archway. To the left of the emperor, There is a table with a pillow, on which a crown and an orb lie, and to the right is an armchair with a mantle. The artist used a warm and rich color palette. It is dominated by gray-brown, rich red, creamy white, gold, emerald green, and black. The background of the portrait is grayish brown. The emperor’s figure is balanced by a red drape on three sides.
“Portrait of Peter III” is one of the most famous works in its genre. The painting is included in history textbooks and is often featured in historical works.
