Portrait of Alexander II by Konstantin Makovsky the image of the sovereign of the Russian brush of the great master

Portrait of Alexander II is a famous painting painted by Konstantin Yegorovich Makovsky in 1881. The great reformer is depicted sitting in a high-backed chair. His posture is relaxed. Throwing one leg over the other and leaning on the table next to him, he holds a lit cigar in his right hand. Its smoke almost blends into the dark background. With his left hand, the emperor strokes the black setter, located at his feet.

The bright red uniform cap lying on the table to the left creates a certain contrast. But the attention of the viewer, first of all, is attracted by a blue uniform embroidered with gilded cords. The gaze involuntarily shifts to the military orders of St. George, Maria Theresa and the star.

Masterfully placed accents, the play of light and shadow emphasize the stateliness of the hero’s figure. Only a barely noticeable slight sadness in his eyes reflects the disturbing events taking place in those days.

Name of the painting: “Portrait of Alexander II”.
Author: Konstantin Egorovich Makovsky (1839-1915).
Year of writing: 1881
Size: 163 x 108 cm.
Style: Realism.
Genre: Portrait.
Technique: Oil painting.
Material: Canvas.
Location: State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

Konstantin Makovsky is a talented Russian painter of the 19th century, a member of the Wanderers Association.

A significant direction of his work, along with heartfelt everyday scenes, was portraiture. From a young age, studying the types of ordinary people and noble persons, he skillfully displayed the smallest facial expressions and gestures on the canvas. His characters, alive and believable, seemed to have descended from the canvas into the surrounding reality. This level of skill provided the artist with demand and an abundance of orders. Makovsky painted portraits of Alexander II three times.

The artist created the first image of the emperor in 1861, while still a young man. He portrayed the recently ascended king in the increasingly popular romantic style. 20 years later, in 1880, he was again invited to the Winter Palace to paint the painting “Portrait of Alexander II”.

The work was completed in early 1881. The emperor was pleased with the work. His warm appeal to the artist “my painter” foreshadowed further orders. But on March 1 of the same year, Russia was shocked by the news of the sixth and fatal seventh terrorist attacks that occurred on the same day. In tribute to the memory, Makovsky considered it his duty to create an image of the murdered tsar on his deathbed.

The painting “Portrait of Alexander II” by Konstantin Makovsky has become one of the best images of the emperor-reformer. His image entered the history of Russian painting and reminds his contemporaries of selfless service to the state.