A significant place in the genre of merchant portraiture is occupied by family pictures. These portraits not only capture the faces of individuals, but also illustrate the values of the social group they represent: the sanctity of patriarchal traditions, the inheritance of wealth, and the continuity of the family business.
The merchant dynasty of the Kazakovs, presumably depicted in the portrait on display at the exhibition, can be traced back to 17th-century Rybinsk. The family traded in fish and owned a shop in the city. Members of the family were frequently elected to prominent public positions.
In the center of the composition, there is a figure of a middle-aged man, the head of the family. He sits in a comfortable armchair. His dark hair is parted down the middle and his light blue eyes fixate on the viewer. He has a reddish beard and a mustache that frame his face. He is wearing a black caftan, a white shirt, and a brown vest. There is an elegant metal fob on a chain inserted into the vest’s button loop, which likely holds a watch. The merchant Kazakov also wears a simple, yellow metal ring on his index finger. Together, all these items form a typical ensemble for a wealthy urban dweller from the 19th century.
In the background, behind the man, is his eldest son and heir, standing. He places his right hand on the back of his father’s chair, and holds a piece of paper in his left hand with the word “Casaccoff” (Kazakov) written on it. The date next to the inscription indicates that the portrait was created in 1868.
The youngest son is in the left foreground. Like his older brother, he bears a strong resemblance to his father. He has light eyes and hair, along with childishly puffy lips. The young boy is dressed in a pink shirt with two small, shiny buttons.
The backdrop of the portrait consists of a light gray curtain. This curtain is raised to the right, revealing a view of the interior of the home, which is unusual for a merchant’s portrait. In the center of this interior, one can notice the figure of a female servant. The use of this technique adds an extra sense of intimacy to the entire image. The viewer almost accidentally catches a glimpse of these characters in a comfortable, natural setting.
