This is an 1858 chamber portrait of Alexander Stepanovich Talyzin. The painting depicts Talyzin as an elderly man. The neutral background color of the canvas, the black suit with a contrasting white waistcoat, and the wide black scarf give gravity and, at the same time, a certain elegance to the image of Alexander Stepanovich. His lively, intelligent eyes look inquisitively and piercingly. There is wisdom, insight, and even toughness in Talyzin’s gaze.
The only “liberty” and only adornment in this ascetic image is the lapel badge on the coat of the leader of the Bronnitsy nobility.
An inscription on the back of the canvas indicated that the portrait was created for Talyzin’s 63rd anniversary. The inscription reads as follows: ‘Alexander Stepanovich Talyzin. Born March 22, 1795 in Luts… + Moscow, March 22, 1858.’
Experts were unable to identify the exact author of the portrait. It is presumed to be a work of Nikolay Podklyuchnikov, who was well acquainted with the Talyzin family. However, no reliable evidence in favor of this theory has yet been found, so the canvas is attributed as a work of an unknown artist.
In its color features, the portrait of Alexander Talyzin is in tune with that of Olga Talyzina, even though they were created a year apart. Nevertheless, these paintings can be regarded as a pendant.
Count Alexander Stepanovich Talyzin was a godson of the famous military commander Alexander Suvorov, and was married to the field marshal’s granddaughter, Olga Nikolaevna Zubova.
During the Patriotic War of 1812, he entered the Moscow militia, where he was subsequently awarded the rank of a warrant officer for his distinction in the Battle of Borodino. He was decorated with many orders and was a member of the committee overseeing the construction of the Moscow Triumphal Gate.
Sergey Mikhailovich Zagoskin wrote about the Talyzins in his memoirs:
The only “liberty” and only adornment in this ascetic image is the lapel badge on the coat of the leader of the Bronnitsy nobility.
An inscription on the back of the canvas indicated that the portrait was created for Talyzin’s 63rd anniversary. The inscription reads as follows: ‘Alexander Stepanovich Talyzin. Born March 22, 1795 in Luts… + Moscow, March 22, 1858.’
Experts were unable to identify the exact author of the portrait. It is presumed to be a work of Nikolay Podklyuchnikov, who was well acquainted with the Talyzin family. However, no reliable evidence in favor of this theory has yet been found, so the canvas is attributed as a work of an unknown artist.
In its color features, the portrait of Alexander Talyzin is in tune with that of Olga Talyzina, even though they were created a year apart. Nevertheless, these paintings can be regarded as a pendant.
Count Alexander Stepanovich Talyzin was a godson of the famous military commander Alexander Suvorov, and was married to the field marshal’s granddaughter, Olga Nikolaevna Zubova.
During the Patriotic War of 1812, he entered the Moscow militia, where he was subsequently awarded the rank of a warrant officer for his distinction in the Battle of Borodino. He was decorated with many orders and was a member of the committee overseeing the construction of the Moscow Triumphal Gate.
Sergey Mikhailovich Zagoskin wrote about the Talyzins in his memoirs:
