Portrait of Vasily Alekseevich Perovsky 1809

Orest Kiprensky's "Portrait of Vasily Alekseevich Perovsky" from 1809 depicts a young man in a dramatic pose, wearing a lavish black velvet coat and a striking white ruff. The subject's hand rests on a red sash, suggesting his military affiliation, and his gaze is directed to the viewer with a subtle, almost melancholic intensity. The dramatic use of light and shadow, characteristic of Kiprensky's style, adds depth and a sense of dynamism to the composition.