Nikolai Argunov painted the portrait of Elizaveta Bantysh-Kamenskaya in 1823. The young woman is dressed according to the fashion of that time – she is wearing a red sarafan and a white shirt with a wide neckline. This outfit was reminiscent of typical peasant clothes. After the victory in the Napoleonic War, the folklore theme in Russia gained popularity and many members of the nobility started to wear such outfits. But the woman in the portrait does not just show appreciation for the fashion - the Bantysh-Kamensky family were interested in the peasant traditions and her husband, Dmitry Bantysh-Kamensky, professionally studied the history of Malorossiya.
Nikolai Argunov painted a young woman who was graceful and calm: she felt at ease in the simple outfit. A multitude of white shades emphasize her lightsome image. The author shaped the volumes using light and shadow, maintaining the correct proportions according to the principles of classicism.
Nikolai Argunov painted a young woman who was graceful and calm: she felt at ease in the simple outfit. A multitude of white shades emphasize her lightsome image. The author shaped the volumes using light and shadow, maintaining the correct proportions according to the principles of classicism.