Portrait of Hudenkova 1890

This is Konstantin Makovsky’s “Portrait of Hudenkova,” painted with oils on canvas. The artist worked in a realist style, with close attention to the trappings of wealth and status. Take a look at the sitter's elaborate costume. It’s made of velvet, a luxury fabric that requires specialized looms and expert weavers. Note also the intricate gold embroidery on her dress, the fur stole, and the peacock feather fan. All these details tell us that this woman belongs to Russia's upper class, whose economic power depended on the labor of others. Makovsky’s rendering of textures such as fur and velvet are especially convincing, showing his academic training. Yet, the painting is not just a superficial display of riches. Consider the artist's own labor, carefully building up the image through layers of paint, to create a sense of depth and volume. In short, the painting is a material record of both Hudenkova’s social position, and the expertise of Makovsky, the artist commissioned to represent it.