Group portrait of sisters: writers Countess Elizaveta Vasilievna Salias de Tournemire, artists Sofia Vasilievna Sukhovo-Kobylina and Evdokia Vasilievna Petrovo-Solovovo Pimen Orlov (1812-1865)

The composition presents three women arranged in a triangular formation within a lush, overgrown garden setting. The figures occupy the foreground, their gazes directed towards varying points beyond the viewers perspective, creating a sense of individual contemplation rather than unified interaction. A dark, shadowed figure is positioned to the left, partially obscured by foliage; its presence suggests an observer or perhaps a symbolic representation of wisdom or antiquity.
The women are dressed in attire indicative of a refined social standing, with flowing fabrics and delicate ornamentation. The central woman holds a single rose, a traditional symbol of beauty, love, and potentially, artistic inspiration. Her placement at the apex of the triangle emphasizes her centrality within the group dynamic. The woman to her left reclines on what appears to be a stone bench, draped in a vibrant pink shawl that contrasts with the paler tones of her dress. She holds a small pendant or charm, which might signify personal values or affiliations. The third woman, positioned to the right, is adorned with a darker, more elaborate headpiece and clutches a book, hinting at intellectual pursuits.
The background landscape is rendered in soft focus, contributing to an atmosphere of romanticism and idealized beauty. Grapes hang from vines, adding another layer of symbolic richness – grapes often represent abundance, fertility, and the pleasures of life. The light source appears to originate from the right side of the canvas, illuminating the womens faces and highlighting their features with a gentle glow.
Subtly, the painting conveys themes of female intellectualism and artistic creativity within a privileged social context. The inclusion of literary and artistic professions – implied by the book and the rose – suggests an exploration of feminine roles beyond traditional domesticity. The shadowed figure in the background could be interpreted as representing the weight of history or the influence of past generations on these women’s intellectual endeavors. The overall effect is one of quiet dignity, introspection, and a celebration of female accomplishment within a carefully constructed aesthetic framework.