Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates/Emperor Peter the Great of Russia

Emperor Peter the Great of Russia

Voting period is over. Please don't add any new votes. Voting period ends on 7 Jul 2013 at 13:05:44 (UTC)

Reason: At 1,200 × 1,687 pixels, this image is on the small side; however, there are several reasons why I have come to the conclusion that this image of Peter the Great is without doubt the best choice for FP status. If the size is too much of an obstacle, fine; but I feel the worth and encyclopedic value of this image easily overrides that, so I decided to bring it here. These aforesaid reasons are:

1.) This portrait, unlike the many others of Peter the Great that are of similar, though ubiquitously lesser, technical acumen, was actually painted during his lifetime, circa 1717. Its colors and contrast are excellent, especially when one looks at the other versions and scans of this painting. This particular portrait has been duplicated in paint, but this is clearly the best and most balanced version. One looks at the others and readily sees this shine above. Besides, even if these other versions and scans were equal to this in composition, they are all of lower resolution on Wikipedia. Larger scans of the inferior versions can be found, but they are not drastically larger, and, regardless, pale next to this piece.

2.) Another portrait of Peter the Great, perhaps famous, is the one executed by Paul Delaroche in 1838: [1]. However, besides being painted around 113 years after Peter the Great's death, the better version of this painting, (still, I feel, plainly inferior to Nattier's) which is the one I have linked to, can only be found in a small size. The larger version, here: [2], --still smaller than the scan of Nattier's portrait-- seems as though it is actually a copy of the original, and has a rough, unfinished look, negating its encyclopedic value and making it, in my opinion, even a tad cartoonish. Nattier wins again, easily.

3.) This portrait is an excellent illustrator of Peter's personality and governmental philosophy; he wears handsome western European style armour, signifying his place as the Russian ruler who officially displaced 'Tsar' as the monarch's title in favor of 'Emperor.' Upon his pauldron over his left shoulder, is emblazoned the star of the Order of St. Andrew, the first and most illustrious Russian chivalric order, established by Peter the Great himself to inculcate a sense of loyalty and pride, save land and money, and further adopt the ideas and customs of western Europe, all of which are representative of his approach to ruling. His sword is prominently featured, just as in the Delaroche portrait, but in this portrait there is a significant addition: the Tsar wears a flowing white sash about his waist that is far more prominent than the similar sash in the Delaroche portrait; in the Russian context, the white is essential, as it symbolizes both divine right monarchy and divine purpose. Similarly, the blue sash of the Order of St. Andrew is a reflection of state legitimacy, and, combined with the red plumes, comes together to a white, blue and red, signifying the Russian flag that Peter introduced as one of the main points of his reign. Once one focuses on this painting, one sees that it really is far superior to not just many historical portraits, but most portraits in general. It adds immense value to its articles, is very illustrative, and, notwithstanding its smaller size, is a very fine image in many regards.

Articles in which this image appears: Peter the Great, History of Western civilization, History of Russia, Treaty of Constantinople (1700)
FP category for this image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Featured_pictures#People
Creator: Jean-Marc Nattier

Support as nominator --Indefatigable2 (talk) 13:05, 28 June 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Oppose While I agree that this is probably the right portrait if one were to be featured, it's not up to snuff size wise. Firstly, I expect that this, like most portraits of royalty, is quite large and we should expect the resolution of the reproduction to reflect that. Secondly, if you compare it to the other paintings of royalty already featured, it's clear that the image is well below those standards. So while it's valuable for illustrating the article, it's not feature-worthy until a better quality scan becomes available. Cowtowner (talk) 18:45, 28 June 2013 (UTC)[reply]
- My own feelings, perhaps; better to be scrupulous than not, for sure. Indefatigable2 (talk) 02:22, 29 June 2013 (UTC)[reply]
WITHDRAW I wish to withdraw my nomination. This scan is not up to par, and this painting isn't going anywhere. We can wait for a better one. Indefatigable2 (talk) 17:56, 1 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Not Promoted --Armbrust ^{The Homunculus} 19:15, 1 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Withdrawn nomination. Armbrust ^{The Homunculus} 19:15, 1 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]