PORTRAIT of COUNT Alexei G. ORLOV-CHESMENSKY AND PRINCE Gregory G. ORLOV
Artist J.L.de Welli (?)
1770s
Canvas, oil pains
62,7 x 79 cm
Receipt: from the State Museum Fund in 1927
Open storage
This portrait is a rare for Russia of XVIII Century example of double portrait.
On the right side of portrait is depicted Prince Gregory G. Orlov (1734-1783), a participant of the Seven Years War of 1756-1763; a favorite of Grand Duchess Catherine Alekseevna. He and his brother in 1762 led the conspiracy of Guards officers for enthronement of Catherine. He is portrayed in a red uniform of the General Feldzeugmeister (Chief of Artillery), against the backdrop of plague-ridden Moscow, where he was sent in 1771 by the Empress to fight the epidemic and suppress a "plague" rebellion.
Alexei G. Orlov (1735/37–1807) – An Earl (1762); a General-en-Chef (1769). He played a significant role in the coup of 1762. An Admiral since 1770. He was in command of the Mediterranean squadron of the Russian Navy. For the defeat of the Turkish fleet at the battle of Chesme on September 22, 1770 he was awarded with the order of St.George of the 1-th Grade and the right to add to his surname the name of Chesme. He is depicted in the Admiral's uniform against the background of the battle of Chesme that glorified his name.
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