Portrait of Maria Lopukhina Vladimir Borovikovsky (1757-1825)

The painting Portrait of Maria Lopukhina by Dmitry Levitzky depicts a young woman, believed to be Maria Ivanovna Lopukhina, a relative of the artist. She is presented in a three-quarter profile, looking directly at the viewer with a soft, almost melancholic gaze. Her curly dark hair is styled loosely, framing a delicate face with fair skin and expressive eyes.
She is dressed in a flowing white Empire-style gown, cinched at the waist with a blue sash adorned with gold patterns. The fabric of her dress is loosely gathered, creating soft folds and revealing a décolletage emphasized by a high, ruffled collar. A dark shawl is draped over her shoulders and arm, and she wears a delicate bracelet on her right wrist.
Her pose is relaxed yet elegant, leaning slightly on a marble pedestal. To her left, a lush natural background is visible, with trees and foliage, hinting at an idyllic, pastoral setting. To her right, a bouquet of wilting roses adds a touch of symbolism.
The subtext of the portrait likely relates to the ideals of beauty, grace, and sensibility prevalent in the late 18th century and early 19th century. The romanticized natural setting and her fashionable attire suggest her social standing and the eras aesthetic sensibilities. The wilting roses are a common memento mori, a symbol of the transient nature of beauty and life, which adds a poignant undertone to the otherwise serene portrait, perhaps reflecting inner feelings of melancholy or a foreboding of future sorrows. Maria Lopukhina died young, which imbues the portrait with an added layer of tragic beauty. Levitzky masterfully captures not just her physical likeness but also an emotional depth that draws the viewer in.