Portrait of Prince Vladimir Golitsyn Borisovtj
Alexander Roslin·1762
Historical Context
Roslin's Portrait of Prince Vladimir Golitsyn Borisovtj from 1762 was produced during or in connection with his celebrated journey to the Russian imperial court in 1775–1777 (or via the Russian aristocracy in Paris before that). The Golitsyn family were among the grandest princes of Russia, and commissions from them represented the summit of aristocratic patronage available to a portrait painter working in Paris. Roslin's Russian portraits are among his finest work, combining his extraordinary refinement of surface with a quality of regal authority appropriate to his subjects.
Technical Analysis
The prince is depicted in formal dress with medals and orders of chivalry appropriate to his rank. Roslin's command of the varied textures of court dress — embroidered velvet, medal ribbons, lace — is fully displayed, while the face achieves his characteristic balance between individual likeness and aristocratic idealization.
