Three hundred and twenty-nine individual portraits of Russian generals define the legacy of George Dawe, an English painter who secured his status through the Military Gallery of the Winter Palace. Born in London in 1781, he established a career that transitioned from early engraving success to becoming the official First Portrait Painter of the Imperial Court in Russia.
Early Development and Academy Training
The son of Philip Dawe, a mezzotint engraver, George Dawe gained technical proficiency early through family instruction. He attended the Royal Academy Schools, where he secured the Gold Medal in 1803. By 1809, he achieved status as an associate member of the Royal Academy, attaining the rank of full Academician in 1814. Beyond his formal instruction, Dawe engaged in independent studies of human anatomy, literature, philosophy, and classical languages to refine his artistic practice.
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Dawe initially focused on painting classical subjects before shifting toward the more profitable field of portraiture. This transition into high-society commissions proved successful, though his methods for promoting his own work generated tension with contemporary artists, including John Constable. During this period, he maintained significant patronage from notable figures such as the Duke and Duchess of Kent, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Leopold.
Imperial Service in Saint Petersburg
In 1819, Dawe traveled through Europe with the Duke of Kent, a journey that led to his introduction to Alexander I of Russia. Commissioned to document the military staff who participated in the conflict against Napoleon, Dawe relocated to Saint Petersburg. From 1822 to 1828, supported by assistants Alexander Polyakov and Wilhelm August Golicke, he completed his vast series for the Winter Palace. His standing in Russia was confirmed by an invitation to the 1826 coronation of Nicholas I and his formal appointment as court painter in 1828.
Final Years and Burial
Despite his success abroad, Dawe experienced persistent health issues, including long-term pulmonary weakness. After returning to Russia in 1829, he suffered a severe cold and deteriorating health. He traveled back to London, where he died on 15 October 1829 at the residence of his brother-in-law, Thomas Wright. He was buried in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral in a funeral attended by Russian embassy officials and artists.
Fast facts
- Born: 1781, London
- Died: 1829, Kentish Town
- Occupations: painter, printmaker, portraitist
- Positions: First Portrait Painter of the Imperial Court
- Employer: Alexander I of Russia (1818-1828)
- Burial site: St Paul's Cathedral
- Membership: Royal Academy of Arts
Questions readers ask
Where is the majority of Dawe's work currently located?
A significant collection of his portraits is housed in the military gallery of the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, with additional works held in the British Royal Collection.
Did Dawe work alone on the Winter Palace portraits?
No, he collaborated with assistants Alexander Polyakov and Wilhelm August Golicke to complete the project.
