Afanasy Ivanovich Krasovsky, Russian General 

George Dawe painted this portrait of Russian General Afanasy Ivanovich Krasovsky, likely in the 1820s. As an English portraitist working for the Russian court, Dawe was commissioned to paint portraits of the generals who had participated in the war against Napoleon. This image serves as a visual representation of power and status, achieved through military service. Krasovsky’s uniform and decorations signal his rank and achievements within the Russian army, at a time when the Russian Empire was expanding its territories and influence. The Hermitage Museum, where this portrait now hangs, was founded by Catherine the Great and became a symbol of Russia's ambition to appear as a major European power. Art historical research can reveal the complex social and institutional contexts that shaped the creation and reception of works like this. Understanding the public role of art and the politics of imagery can help us appreciate the meaning of art as something that is contingent on its social and institutional context.