Carl Bryullov
"Portrait of Countess Yulia Pavlovna Samoilova with Her Ward Giovannina Pacini and a Young Black Servant", 1832–1834

This grand portrait hides a bold romantic drama. Countess Yulia Samoilova, Russia’s wealthy aristocrat and Karl Bryullov’s muse, defied society by supporting the artist and living in Italy.

She strides forward in satin, her grace mirrored by Giovannina Pacini—daughter of composer Pacini, adopted by Samoilova—and a young servant. Later, her wards sued her, seizing her fortune. Yet here, they’re frozen in youth, glowing under Italian light.

#ArtHistory #RussianArt #Romanticism
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