The artist is the lamp
Platon Aleksandrovich Zubov became the last favorite of the aging empress. According to contemporaries, he was a man of “a nearby mind and poorly educated, but prominent to himself and perfectly mastered the French language”. Zubov began his career as a lieutenant of the horse guard. In 1789, he was appointed as an outbuilder, four years later he received the title of Adjutant General and Chief of the Cavalier Guard Corps, and since 1794, General General General General became the General General. And in 1796 he was already led by the Black Sea Fleet. In a word, in the last years of the reign of Catherine Plato Zubov, 13 posts concentrate in her hands. The empress had unlimited trust to her pet and only in rare cases did without his advice. Zubov’s meaning was moderate only by the influence of Potemkin, but after the death of the latter, he becomes omnipotent at court. Higher military administration goes to him; In questions of diplomatic, he begins to play a huge role. Until then, the Foreign College, Count A. AND. Bezborodko was forced to actually give him his presidency.
Power and honor made Zubov to extremely arrogant and arrogant. These qualities are perfectly read in the front portrait of the favorite written by the lamp artist. The splendor of the surroundings, a luxurious outfit, even catching the beauty of the model does not hide the inner emptiness, the spiritual coldness of the selfish and cruel person. The artist was coldly treated by the Catherine’s favorite and noted that “Zubov wanted to master everything that once belonged to Potemkin. But he could not appropriate himself the main thing: the mind and character of his predecessor, his strength, will and stormy temperament “. Oddly enough, the empress liked the portrait, she showered the lamp with mercy, assigning a monthly maintenance of 300 rubles to the apartment and the crew that had pleased her by the master.
Zubov Platon Aleksandrovich (1767–1822). Field General of Honorary Honorary Commercial Association. Son a. N. Zubov. Favorite Catherine II. From 1793 count, from 1796 the brightest prince. Participated in the conspiracy of 1801 against Paul I. Portrait Gallery of the Russian Museum. Persons of Russia. SPb. 2012. With. 93.
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