The Painting Fedotov “Fresh Chevalier”


The painting “Fresh Chevalier (The Morning of an Official Who Received the First Cross)” by PA Fedotov – the first work of a domestic genre in Russian painting – was written in 1847. The canvas was highly appreciated by critics and among progressive intelligentsia.

The plot and Painting clearly traced the influence of English artists – masters of the domestic genre. On the canvas, we see an official who hardly comes to himself next morning after a merry feast, arranged on the occasion of the receipt of the first order.

The official is depicted in a wretched environment, in an old dressing-gown, unshaven, with papillot on his head and with an order strapped straight to his robe. He haughtily and reluctantly argues about something with the cook, showing him his collapsed boots.

Before us a typical representative of his environment is a corrupt bribe taker and slave of his boss. He is immensely snobby, he worships the order as if he were a witness of some unseen merit. Probably, in his dreams he flew very high, but the cheerful cry of the cook immediately returns it to the place.

The painting “Fresh Cavalier” is an exact reproduction of reality in its entirety. In addition to his excellent knowledge of the technique of writing, Fedotov demonstrates the subtlety of psychological characteristics. The artist depicts his hero with amazing sharpness and precision. It is obvious that the artist, while exposing his character, at the same time sympathizes with him, treats him with mild humor.


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The Painting Fedotov “Fresh Chevalier”