Portrait of Sofia Rostopchina, gr. Segura. 1823 Musee Carnavalet, Paris Orest Adamovich Kiprensky (1782-1836)

Here we observe a portrait executed in watercolor and pencil on paper. The subject is a woman seated before a dark background, her posture suggesting a restrained elegance. She faces forward, engaging the viewer with a direct gaze that conveys both composure and a subtle hint of melancholy.
The artist has rendered her hair in elaborate ringlets, meticulously detailed to capture the texture and sheen of the style popular during the early 19th century. The hairstyle frames her face, drawing attention to her features: a slightly elongated nose, full lips, and large, dark eyes. A delicate blush tints her cheeks, contributing to an overall impression of youthful vitality tempered by a certain seriousness.
Her attire is noteworthy. She wears a high-necked white dress with a ruffled collar, accented by a vibrant sash tied around her waist. The sash’s intricate pattern introduces a splash of color and visual complexity against the otherwise muted palette. A fur stole drapes over her shoulders, adding a layer of luxury and warmth to the composition. The details of the clothing suggest a position within a privileged social stratum.
The background is deliberately understated – a dark, indistinct plane that serves to isolate the figure and emphasize her presence. To the left, a portion of a chair is visible, topped with an ornamental sphere; this detail hints at domesticity and refinement.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of a woman in fashionable dress, subtexts emerge from the portrait’s careful construction. The directness of her gaze suggests a certain self-assurance, yet it also carries a trace of vulnerability. The restrained color palette and formal pose contribute to an atmosphere of quiet dignity, perhaps indicative of societal expectations placed upon women during this period. The overall effect is one of studied composure masking deeper emotions – a characteristic often associated with aristocratic portraiture of the era.