The portrait of Nikita Demidov was the first in the portrait gallery of the famous industrialists, painted by the best Russian artists. During the 18th and 19th centuries, it was probably kept in the manor house on the premises of the Nevyansk plant, where the plant owners, and later the managers of the plant area, lived. The portrait has been in the exhibition of the Nevyansk Historical and Architectural Museum since the 1930s.
The founder of the Ural metallurgical industry has a blacksmith’s physique, a watchful, attentive gaze, a high forehead of a thinker, and a broad peasant-style beard. Demidov clutches a staff with his right hand, and with his left hand, he holds a scarlet cape casually draped over a dark coat.
The founder of the famous industrialists’ dynasty, the Demidovs, was born into a blacksmith’s family, with the surname Antyufeyev, in Tula. He learned blacksmithing when he was a child. Starting out as an apprentice, he quickly became a famous and successful master. In Tula, Demidov built a small plant, which became the first of many metallurgical facilities founded by him and his descendants.
After examining the Nevyansk iron ore and estimating the prospects for the development of mining in the Urals, Nikita Demidov decided to relocate there. In March 1702, Peter the Great, who personally knew Demidov and held him in high regard, assigned him to the newly built Nevyansk plant. It became the “capital of the mining kingdom”, which the Demidovs used as their headquarters for running the rest of the metallurgical plants. Demidov factories produced iron of the Stary Sobol (literally: Old Sable) brand, famous all over the world, which was distinguished by its malleability and ductility. In 1709, Nikita Demidov was promoted to the rank of commissar as a reward for his faithful service and the supply of “marten” iron. That officially made him a civil servant, and in 1720, he was granted personal nobility. After Nikita Demidov’s death in 1725, his Ural factories were inherited by his eldest son Akinfiy, who managed to expand his father’s business. Nikita Demidov loved and sincerely respected his eldest son Akinfiy. Back in 1711, he became estranged from his younger sons, leaving only Akinfiy by his side.
