Portrait of Princess Yelizaveta Saltykova (Elizaveta Saltikova) Karl Pavlovich Bryullov (1799-1852)

Description of Karl Bryullov’s painting "Portrait of Princess Saltykova".

In painting portraits, Bryullov was always guided by his subtle ability to guess and capture human nature. In spite of the pompous decoration of the Duchess’s estate, the painting is distinguished by the highest degree of soulfulness and lyricism.

We notice the gentle features of the noble lady’s face: the noble high forehead, the translucent luminous skin, the slightly weary and thoughtful gaze of the penetrating gray eyes. Masterfully the artist managed to convey soft, flowing fabrics. It seems that we’re about to hear the cool rustle of a silk dress, so accurately painted its smooth folds.

Bryullov loved and knew how to add red to the palette. The velvet back of the chair and the scarlet cloak that beautifully girdles the princess’s slender waist create a lively contrast to the cold silver and blue tones of the luxurious dress. This bright accent adds to the idleness that is always a necessary attribute of a ceremonial portrait.

In her hand, adorned with family rings, rests an exquisite fan of peacock feathers. Beneath the feet of the beauty is an exotic wild cat skin. In the background, we can see the languid twilight, which creates a harmonious background for the canvas.

It’s amazing how the artist is able to convey the image of meek femininity, softness and poetry through the rich decoration of the interior and the dazzling palette. There is no high-society stiffness and haughtiness, just sensuality, elegy, and impeccable composition. The princess is a bastion of virtue and soft discernment as a truly feminine force.

The work shows many traits of the Romantic style - the exaltation of morality and the best motives of human nature, the expressive play of light and shade, the emphasis on aesthetics, and the desire to turn the portrait into a real mirror of the soul of his lyrical hero.