The revenues formation process of a portrait painter in the first quarter of the 19th century in Russia

This article is devoted to the features of the artists’ revenues in the first quarter of the 19 th century. These revenues were formed from a salary, if an artist was employed, revenues from orders fulfillment, sales of paintings and tuition fee. The prices of ceremonial portraits depended on the authorities’ desire, on the artist’s reputation, on the quality of work and on the policy of Russian court. Market factors influenced the prices of private clients’ portraits - the price was determined depending on product cost (including spent efforts, and, therefore, on complexity and size of work), competitors’ prices, supply-and-demand situation, the rate of artist’s fame and the degree of execution. The level of prices changed in accordance with the fame growth of the artist.