In the early 19th century, a portrait served as an indicator of its owner’s wealth and high position in society. Along with the ceremonial one, the intimate portrait was also popular, distinct for its naturalness and delicacy. The main thing in such a portrait is not ranks, awards and merits, but the people themselves and their character. However, even without distinctive signs, the intimate portrait still gave an idea of the position in society of the person depicted.
The museum’s collection contains a portrait by the Russian painter and watercolorist Mikhail Terebenyov.
The person portrayed in the painting is unknown, but the portrait still hints that the character belonged to a wealthy family, most likely of a noble or merchant class. The man looks neat and is dressed according to the fashion of his time: a black frock coat, a doublet, and a tie skillfully tied around his neck — an indispensable part of a suit of the early 19th century. Most likely, this portrait was a matter of prestige for the depicted person: this idea is supported by the name of the artist, who was a famous portrait painter at that time.
Mikhail Terebenyov was born in St. Petersburg in 1795 into an artisan family. His father was an artist, woodcarver, and a graduate of the Academy of Arts. Mikhail’s brothers also dedicated their lives to art: the eldest, Ivan, became a sculptor, and the youngest, Vladimir, became a lithographer.
In 1803, Mikhail Terebenyov, among those who were “children of Academicians and the Academy’s former pupils who are its employees”, also entered the Imperial Academy of Arts. At this time, he turned 8 years old. From 1811, he studied under the famous portraitist of those years — Stepan Shchukin. During his studies, he was awarded two Small and Large silver medals for his achievements in painting from life.
In 1815, Terebenyov created the painting “Russian Peasant Wedding” as his graduation project. It was acquired by Empress Mariya Feodorovna. For a long time, the painting was exhibited in the gallery of the Konstantinovsky Palace.
Mikhail Terebenyov painted portraits of famous people of that time: the poet Alexander Odoevsky, the composer Mikhail Glinka, the diplomat and writer Alexander Griboyedov and many others. Even though the artist’s artwork mainly consists of miniature portraits, he also painted genre and historical paintings. In addition, he painted lectern images for the church of the Artillery School. This was the name of the icons that were placed on the lectern — a stand for liturgical books. He also created images for the Sioni Cathedral in Tiflis and the shroud — a linen canvas with a pictorial image of Christ — for the church of the Petropavlovsk Hospital in St. Petersburg.
The museum’s collection contains a portrait by the Russian painter and watercolorist Mikhail Terebenyov.
The person portrayed in the painting is unknown, but the portrait still hints that the character belonged to a wealthy family, most likely of a noble or merchant class. The man looks neat and is dressed according to the fashion of his time: a black frock coat, a doublet, and a tie skillfully tied around his neck — an indispensable part of a suit of the early 19th century. Most likely, this portrait was a matter of prestige for the depicted person: this idea is supported by the name of the artist, who was a famous portrait painter at that time.
Mikhail Terebenyov was born in St. Petersburg in 1795 into an artisan family. His father was an artist, woodcarver, and a graduate of the Academy of Arts. Mikhail’s brothers also dedicated their lives to art: the eldest, Ivan, became a sculptor, and the youngest, Vladimir, became a lithographer.
In 1803, Mikhail Terebenyov, among those who were “children of Academicians and the Academy’s former pupils who are its employees”, also entered the Imperial Academy of Arts. At this time, he turned 8 years old. From 1811, he studied under the famous portraitist of those years — Stepan Shchukin. During his studies, he was awarded two Small and Large silver medals for his achievements in painting from life.
In 1815, Terebenyov created the painting “Russian Peasant Wedding” as his graduation project. It was acquired by Empress Mariya Feodorovna. For a long time, the painting was exhibited in the gallery of the Konstantinovsky Palace.
Mikhail Terebenyov painted portraits of famous people of that time: the poet Alexander Odoevsky, the composer Mikhail Glinka, the diplomat and writer Alexander Griboyedov and many others. Even though the artist’s artwork mainly consists of miniature portraits, he also painted genre and historical paintings. In addition, he painted lectern images for the church of the Artillery School. This was the name of the icons that were placed on the lectern — a stand for liturgical books. He also created images for the Sioni Cathedral in Tiflis and the shroud — a linen canvas with a pictorial image of Christ — for the church of the Petropavlovsk Hospital in St. Petersburg.
