Chances are this portrait came from Zhdanovo manor, located in a territory of Myshkinskiy District or Yaroslavl Province. It used to belong to a noble dynasty of Likhachyov’s. The signature of A. Chaschin was discovered during the restoration of this painting, originally made in 1769. According to the archival discovery of local historians, in late 18th century, almost 30 years after painting a portrait of Ivan Likhachyov, Alexander Chaschin, a servant of the Likhachyov’s, made paintings on khorugvs, the religious banners, for Pokrovsky Cathedral in Polozov that was built near Rybinsk. If the author of the portrait and the painter of khorugvs is the same person, then it means that a skilled serf artist was living in the court of Likhachyov’s.
This portrait depicts colonel Ivan Likhachyov in a uniform of a captain of Semyonovsky Regiment. Its color is not a conventional forest green, but emerald: military uniform experts explain this by saying that the uniform was made out of recolored Prussian baize which was taken by the Russian army as a trophy of the Seven Years' War. One hand of Likhachyov is put inside the uniform with confidence, another one holds an officer’s cane.
Despite the painting being made by a serf painter, the portrait is executed professionally. Its strict composition and appreciable size creates a majestic depiction of Likhachyov. He observes the viewer with both a favourable smile and consciousness of his own significance. It is a fact that he could boast an illustrious biography: nearly 25 years of his life were dedicated to servitude in Semyonovsky Regiment, one of the most famous in imperial Russia.
It is hard to believe that this portrait was painted the year Likhachyov died: he left the position of the Lieutenant Governor of Kazan due to serious illness two years before the portrait’s painting. The painting made by Chaschin is a kind of an artistic monument: this was exactly how Likhachyov was supposed to be remembered by descendants of his bloodline.
This portrait depicts colonel Ivan Likhachyov in a uniform of a captain of Semyonovsky Regiment. Its color is not a conventional forest green, but emerald: military uniform experts explain this by saying that the uniform was made out of recolored Prussian baize which was taken by the Russian army as a trophy of the Seven Years' War. One hand of Likhachyov is put inside the uniform with confidence, another one holds an officer’s cane.
Despite the painting being made by a serf painter, the portrait is executed professionally. Its strict composition and appreciable size creates a majestic depiction of Likhachyov. He observes the viewer with both a favourable smile and consciousness of his own significance. It is a fact that he could boast an illustrious biography: nearly 25 years of his life were dedicated to servitude in Semyonovsky Regiment, one of the most famous in imperial Russia.
In 1756, together with the beginning of the Seven Years' War, Likhachyov was seconded to the Narva Musketeer Regiment that was in the field. After distinguishing himself in main battles of this war, the Battle of Kunersdorf and the Siege of Kolberg, he returned to Semyonovsky Regiment promoted to the title of Poruchik. His career as an officer rapidly evolved even in times of peace: he was a member of an honor guard during the funeral of Elizabeth of Russia and supported Catherine II’s accession to the throne together with his regiment. During the coronation, he was promoted to the rank of Kapitan-poruchik. In 1765, he retired from service in a rank of colonel and a pension coverage appendant to the captain of Semyonovsky Regiment’s Life-Guard.
It is hard to believe that this portrait was painted the year Likhachyov died: he left the position of the Lieutenant Governor of Kazan due to serious illness two years before the portrait’s painting. The painting made by Chaschin is a kind of an artistic monument: this was exactly how Likhachyov was supposed to be remembered by descendants of his bloodline.
