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| Vladimir Borovikovsky [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons |
1814: a well-to-do, artistic young couple poses with their woolly poodle. This portrait of A.A. and A.G. Lobonov-Rostovsky - I can't figure out which is which - was painted by
Vladimir Borovikovsky (Ukrainian-Russian, 1757-1825). A popular portrait painter, he grew up in a family of icon illuminators. I wonder if that has anything to do with the luminosity his portraits often show; those of his sitters who are young and/or beautiful often seem lit from within. In this case that even extends to the dog:
Our google-esc search found a Lobanov-Rostovsky (slightly different spelling?) (another family entirely?) family tree page that has plausible dates for:
ReplyDeleteAlexei Alexandrovich Prince Lobanov-Rostovsky (A.A)
https://www.geni.com/people/Alexei-Alexandrovich-Prince-Lobanov-Rostovsky/6000000054047775895
and
Aleksandra Grigorievna Princess Lobanova-Rostovsky (A.G.)
https://www.geni.com/people/Aleksandra-Grigorievna-Princess-Lobanova-Rostovsky/6000000054047351919
For whatever that might matter to you.
Add a little more that we found interesting. Doña Esperanza apparently was a socialite and courtier in a number of royal families. If Wikipedia is accurate, she has an interesting life, indeed.
ReplyDeleteIn this case, the most interesting thing is that when young, Esperanza was adopted by the couple in the painting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanza_de_Sarachaga
http://womenintheactofpainting.blogspot.com/2013/08/princess-painter.html
The Internet -- Time Sink of the first order since the mid 1990's.
Clowder! These are amazing finds and I am THRILLED! (And a little abashed that I didn't find 'em first.) Love, Curator
ReplyDeleteThe depiction of the light catching the edges of the poodle's curls is wonderful.
ReplyDelete