Ivan Petrovich Argunov: A Serf’s Masterpiece – Bridging Tradition and Baroque in 18th-Century Russia Ivan Petrovich Argunov (1729–1802) stands as a pivotal, yet often overlooked, figure in the development of Russian portraiture. His story is one of remarkable talent blossoming within the constraints of serfdom, ultimately producing works that seamlessly blend traditional Russian *parsuna* art with the burgeoning influence of Baroque aesthetics. Born in Saint Petersburg into a family of serfs belonging to the influential Count Sheremetev, Argunov’s early life was shaped by service and domesti…