Pavel Andreevich Filisov, Russian General 

Curator: Here we have a portrait of Pavel Andreevich Filisov, a Russian general, painted with oil on canvas by George Dawe. It resides here at the Hermitage. Editor: Hmm. He’s got kind of a worried look, doesn't he? Even with all those shiny medals, the guy seems pensive, like he's pondering the meaning of breakfast before a big battle. Curator: Indeed. The painting is very much in keeping with the early 19th-century taste for military portraiture. Remember, this was a period marked by significant Napoleonic wars. Editor: All those shoulder pads though. Goodness! It’s as if his fashion sense charged headfirst into a haystack and decided to wear it. So much ornamentation! Does it seem over the top to you? Curator: Such attire reflects the social status and the political climate, of course. Dawe was commissioned to create portraits of Russian generals who participated in the war against Napoleon. It became a way to shape public memory. Editor: A shaped memory... That’s clever! Still, back to his expression... he seems so disconnected from all this glory that he’s wearing. Curator: Portraits like these served a very specific purpose, shaping national identity. Dawe renders Filisov with a touch of Romanticism. There's a sense of individuality amidst all that militaristic garb, don't you think? Editor: Sure, you can read that as a glimmer of individuality. Personally, I read resignation—or even a tad of boredom! Maybe he just had to stand for too long. That uniform looks really uncomfortable! Curator: These commissioned pieces played a pivotal role in visualizing power. That, I believe, is their lasting historical relevance. Editor: You're right, looking at him more closely now, there’s something very touching about seeing the human side of a figure destined for the history books. Curator: I agree completely. He now offers us not only a study in Russian military history but also, in some ways, in human resilience. Editor: So, there's Filisov. Forever stuck in that oil paint. I still hope somebody brought him a decent cup of tea afterwards.