A Boyar Wedding Feast

A Boyar Wedding Feast is a painting by Konstantin Makovsky that showcases a very important social event in old Russia, a wedding feast that united two prominent Boyar families. In a richly decorated room, the lavishly attired guests (with gold trimmings in their clothing) are caught in the key moment of the event – the groom is about to kiss the bride during a toast, as a dish of fried swan, in turn the symbol of fertility, is presented by one of the servants. As everyone cheers the couple on, the groom is trying to turn the bride to his side, while the matchmaker is seen behind the bride, prompting her to action. However, the bride herself is looking down shyly, almost with a sad or resigned expression. The unspoken feeling is that she should be happy to get married and it is unlikely that her own wishes in the matter were ever considered.

Each guest has a unique expression on their face, but most are excited, happy or curious (such as the little boy sitting near the groom). However, there is one young woman who mirrors the bride’s stillness. She sits at the centre, looking pensively at the couple. It is hard to read her, but, by the look in her dark eyes, it may be assumed that not all her thoughts are benign and she is possibly envious. The dish of fried swan and half-eaten chicken on the table signal that this is one of the last stages of the feast after which the newly-wed couple will retire to their room.

A Royal Wedding Feast is a magnificent work of art and a fine example of a “living” painting that demonstrates the opulence of the Russian aristocracy in the 17th century Russia. It is distinguished by its elegant composition, attention to detail, vibrancy and warm tones. Famous collector Pavel Tretyakov once wanted to buy the painting, but the then sum of twenty thousand roubles requested by Makovsky was beyond his means. Emperor Alexander III of Russia also wanted to buy it, but was outbid by American jeweller Charles Schumann, who eventually bought the painting for sixty thousand roubles (or fifteen thousand dollars) in 1885 (approximately half a million dollars in today’s money). The painting is currently on display at the Hillwood Museum, Washington, D.C.