Portrait of the Author Mikhail Saltykov Shchedrin 1879

"Portrait of the Author Mikhail Saltykov Shchedrin" is a realistic oil painting by Ivan Kramskoy, a prominent figure in the Russian realist movement of the 19th century. The painting depicts the renowned writer in a seated pose, his thoughtful gaze and clasped hands suggesting intellectual contemplation. The subdued color palette, focused on browns and blacks against a deep green background, intensifies the subject's presence, highlighting the individual within a historical context. Currently housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, the work serves as a powerful testament to Kramskoy's mastery of capturing both inner character and the essence of Russian literary culture.