Mikhail Skobelev

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akaryu

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On the release of this bust of Russian general Mikhail Skobelev, by Legion Miniatures, the medals & decorations were discussed based on a painting of the general.
https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/mikhail-dmitriyevich-skobelev.359794/

As this painting was clearly based on an existing photograph, by Sergei Levitsky, operating a well known photo studio in Sankt Petersburg at the time, it seems the painter got a bit lost in all the medal ribbons and hence made us lose our way too.

So to get things right a study of the existing Russian sources was in order. In case anyone wants to paint this bust, I take the liberty of sharing my findings here.

P1010270.JPG early days

The general is wearing the sash of the Prussian Order of the Red Eagle 1st Class.


On his right shoulder is the golden aiguillette of an Adjudant-General.

P1010273.JPG


A. Cross of the Order of Saint George 2nd Class

B. Cross of the Order of Saint George 3rd Class
Order of St. George, 3rd class.jpeg

1. Cross of the Order of Saint George 4th Class on correct ribbon
George 4th class.jpeg

2. Medal "For the suppression of the Polish rebellion. 1863-1864" on Romanov ribbon
Polish rebellion. 1863-1864.jpeg


3. "For the Khiva campaign. 1873", silver on combined St. George-Vladimir ribbon:
%22For the Khiva campaign. 1873%22.jpeg

4. “For the Conquest of the Khanate of Kokand. 1875-1876", light bronze on the same combined ribbon:
%22For the Conquest of the Khanate of Kokand. 1875-1876%22.jpeg

5. "In memory of the Russian-Turkish war. 1877-1878" bronze on Andreevsko-Georgievsky ribbon:
%22In memory of the Russian-Turkish war. 1877-1878%22.jpeg

6. "For the storming of Geok-Tepe on January 12, 1881", silver on Georgievsky ribbon:
%22For the storming of Geok-Tepe on January 12, 1881%22.jpeg

7. Montenegro medal "For courage", correct ribbon but in Russian fashion

montenegro.jpeg

8. Principality of Serbia "For courage" «За храбрость», gold, ribbon red with blue&white border stripes

serbian.jpegFB_IMG_1577734823477.jpg

9. Romania (Wallachia&Moldavia) "Virtute Militara", gold
Rom-91.jpeg


10. Großherzogtum Mecklenburg-Schwerin “Militär Verdienstkreuz 1877” 2d class
02338_c2.jpeg MSW_KVK2_5B.jpg

11. Romania Cross "For crossing the Danube":
The_Danube_Cross.jpg images.jpeg

Bear in mind that all non-Russian decorations had their ribbons arranged in the Russian way.


That's it, let's get painting.

Pierre

 
Hello Nap,

The ribbon of the Order of St Anna 1st class is indeed an option. In fact eager patriotic painters painted Skobelev's portrait that way, finding it more suitable Russian than the Prussian Order of the Red Eagle.

Skobelev was awarded the St Anna 1st Class in 1879.
Order_of_St_Anna.png

Anna1st.jpg

Always worn over the left shoulder, in contrast to the Saint Vladimir ribbon which when worn went over the right shoulder.
Order_of_St._Vladimir.png


Happy painting,

Pierre
 
Hi Pierre

Thanks for info

Sash is edged with red then a thin yellow line the red for main area .........won't be able to add the star on chest ! .....or should that be replaced by the correct star for the St Anna

One thing I've done on mine is to rework the sash away from the collar so that shows fully

IMG_0869.JPG


Nap
 
No star on the sash Nap, the star should be dangling below the knot as is still usual nowadays for the highest classes of an order (see kings and such).

The only star below the sash on this bust is his St George 1st class.

cheers,

Pierre
 
Hi Pierre

That's looking really good , nice work on medals , mines all basecoated up so this is a good reference

Lovely work on those medals

Look forward to seeing more

Have FUN @ the bench

Nap
 
Looking good there, the skin tones are particularly nice and the gold work on eppulets and aigulettes, between you and Kev are any medals that haven't been painted?

Cheers Simon
 
Hi Pierre

That's looking great ...ideal reference for my attempt ....currently on the bench along no with a lot of kharki( no medals )

Look forward to your next

Happy benchtime

Nap
 
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