Gurko VD (female portrait, 1814) GTG Orest Adamovich Kiprensky (1782-1836)

The drawing presents a woman in a three-quarter pose, seated and facing forward with a slight turn of her head towards the viewers left. The composition is formal, characteristic of portraiture from the early nineteenth century. Here we see a focus on capturing likeness and conveying social status through dress and posture.
The subject’s hair is styled in tight, elaborate curls that frame her face, a fashionable arrangement for the period. Her expression is one of quiet composure; theres a subtle hint of melancholy or introspection visible in her eyes. The artist has rendered the skin tones with delicate shading, suggesting a soft and refined beauty.
The woman’s attire contributes significantly to the overall impression. She wears a high-necked dress with a fitted bodice and puffed sleeves adorned with what appears to be lace detailing. A white ruffled collar adds another layer of ornamentation around her neck. The dark color of the bodice contrasts with the lighter tones of her skin and the delicate fabric, drawing attention to her face and upper body.
The background is minimally rendered, fading into a darker tone that serves to isolate the figure and emphasize her presence. A suggestion of a chair or upholstered seat is visible beneath her, further reinforcing the sense of formality and established social position. The artist’s signature and the date “1814” are inscribed in the lower right corner, providing contextual information about the works creation.
Subtly, the drawing conveys an impression of restrained elegance and a certain degree of melancholy or introspection. The formal pose and elaborate dress suggest a woman of means and social standing, while her expression hints at deeper emotions that lie beneath the surface. The overall effect is one of quiet dignity and understated beauty, typical of aristocratic portraiture from this era.