Portrait of a Statesman

The painting depicts a half-length portrait of a middle-aged man, turned three-quarters to the left, with his gaze directed at the viewer. His dark hair is tied back in a braid. The man is dressed in a dark velvet caftan adorned with embroidery and a blue ribbon across his shoulder. He is holding a French hat. Ceremonial or representative portraits were created for publicity purposes. Such paintings were meant to praise and glorify the person depicted, emphasising their social status, wealth, and prestige. A ceremonial portrait would often include orders of merit. Around the man's neck is a red ribbon, from which hangs the Order of the Golden Fleece (a knightly order founded by Philip III the Good, Duke of Burgundy, 1430). It is a dynastic order, one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious honours. On the man's chest is a large metal cross-shaped Order of the Holy Spirit – the highest order of the French Kingdom during the Old Regime. It was founded on December 31, 1578, by King Henry III and abolished in 1830 by King Louis-Philippe I.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery