The portrait of Alexey Sannikov was painted by the outstanding Russian artist Vasily Tropinin. He was a bright representative of the realistic direction, and in his works he always scrupulously conveyed the appearance and character of the hero. He created several hundred portraits of his contemporaries, including famous writers, actors and composers.
Portrait of Alexey Sannikov
Creation period
1823
Dimensions
84,5x67,5 cm
Technique
canvas, oil
Collection
Exhibition
3
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#6
Vasily Tropinin was born in the Novgorod province in the serf family of Count Anton Minikh. In his youth the future painter often drew passers-by. His gift was noticed by the Count’s cousin and he solicited for Tropinin to attend classes at the Imperial Academy of Arts. For six years he studied art in the plaster and painting classes and eventually became one of the best students.
After graduating from the Academy Vasily Tropinin worked in Moscow in his own studio. Neighbors of his master Count Morkov, military servicemen, who had returned from the Patriotic War of 1812, Muscovites and friends, requested him to paint their portraits. Also many celebrities posed to the artist: writers Alexander Pushkin and Nikolay Karamzin, artist Karl Bryullov, actor Vasily Karatygin, publicist Yury Samarin.
#3
Vasily Tropinin was able to completely free himself from the serfdom only in 1823, when he was already 47 years old. At that time he presented to the public one of his main works — The Lacemaker, for which he was awarded the title of academician. Today the canvas is kept in the Tretyakov Gallery.
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The Lacemaker by Vasily Tropinin, 1823. The State Tretyakov Gallery.
#4
Tropinin painted the Portrait of Alexey Sannikov in the same 1823. Sannikov was a well-known Moscow theatergoer. He was a cousin of the accountant of Moscow theaters Pavel Vasilyev, who also posed for the painter. Alexey Sannikov was an idle man, he liked to attract attention of other people to himself and led luxurious life.
#5
Vasily Tropinin created several preparatory drawings for this portrait, which are now kept in the Tretyakov Gallery and in the Historical Museum in Moscow. It was common for the painting of the 19th century to paint a person against the background of nature. Tropinin chose exactly such kind of a background: behind the hero’s back we can see a romantic landscape, twilight before a thunderstorm.
#8
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
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Portrait of Alexey Sannikov
Creation period
1823
Dimensions
84,5x67,5 cm
Technique
canvas, oil
Collection
Exhibition
3
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