Paul I 

This portrait of Paul I was painted by Vladimir Borovikovsky, using oil on canvas. Borovikovsky’s application of paint is relatively smooth, in keeping with the conventions of court portraiture at the time. But look closely, and you’ll see the many delicate layers of glazes he used to build up the colors, creating a sense of depth and luminosity. The artist's skilled manipulation of this material is especially evident in the subtle gradations of tone that give volume to the Emperor’s face, and in the way the light catches the metallic threads of his elaborate uniform. Consider the social context in which such a painting would have been made. The creation of a royal portrait was a carefully managed affair, involving not just the artist but also the sitter and their court. Paul I, like many rulers, understood the power of images to project an image of authority and status, and he would have been keenly aware of the need to convey an impression of imperial grandeur. This artwork reflects the prevailing hierarchies of its time, and how the arts were mobilized to support the dominant social and political order.