UNKNOWN ARTIST, CIRCA 1810 Portrait of Vikenty Ivanovich Golynsky

old stamp (on the reverse) oil on canvas 25 x 30 cm Vikenty Ivanovich Golynsky (1770–1831) was a Russian nobleman, officer, man of letters and a figure of the Enlightenment. He distinguished himself militarily in 1790 during the capture of Izmail, which earned him the Order of St George, 4th class, one of the highest military honours, awarded for bravery in battle. He subsequently held important civil posts, notably as Marshal of the Nobility in the Mogilev Governorate (1808–1814). As the owner of the Kritchev estate in the province of Mogilev, which he received from Prince Grigory Potemkin, he also played an active role in cultural life. He was a member of the Society for the Encouragement of Artists (1820–1831) as well as the Free Society of Lovers of Russian Literature. A typical figure of the enlightened Russian nobility, Golynsky combined a military career, administrative responsibilities and intellectual engagement, whilst being honoured with several imperial distinctions: the Order of St Vladimir, awarded for distinguished civil and military service; and the Order of St Alexander Nevsky, reserved for high-ranking dignitaries for eminent services rendered to the State.