Portrait of Dmitry Benardaki 1844

Charles de Steuben painted this portrait of Dmitry Benardaki at an unknown date. The painting presents us with a man of obvious means in his private sphere. The trappings of wealth are all here: the fine suit and chair, the hint of an ornate desk, and even the set of scales typically used for weighing precious metals. Note how Benardaki’s gaze drifts off to the side as if contemplating some abstract concept. This visual cue was a common 19th-century trope indicating education and intellect. The painting is more than just a depiction of wealth. It's a statement about Benardaki’s social standing, his connections, and his sophistication. To fully understand this image, we might research the institutions of portraiture in 19th-century Europe, the social history of wealth, or even the biography of Benardaki himself. In doing so, we discover the social forces that give an artwork like this its true significance.