Portrait of Elena Petrovna Balashova with children Vladimir Borovikovsky (1757-1825)

The composition presents a woman surrounded by three young children within a landscape setting. The central figure, presumably a mother, is positioned slightly off-center, her gaze directed towards the viewer with a calm and composed expression. Her attire consists of a high-necked white gown adorned with delicate lace detailing at the sleeves and neckline, layered over a blue wrap that drapes across her shoulders and forms a visible fold in the foreground. The woman’s hair is styled in soft curls, framing her face and contributing to an overall impression of gentle elegance.
Two of the children are positioned close to the mother; one stands on her shoulder, holding a small bird, while another clings to her neck, wearing a string of beads. A third child sits in the woman’s lap, looking upwards with an inquisitive expression, and holds a miniature portrait. The childrens poses suggest intimacy and affection, reinforcing the theme of familial bonds. Their expressions are varied – curiosity, playful engagement, and quiet observation – adding depth to the narrative.
The background is rendered as a hazy landscape, featuring trees and foliage painted in muted greens and browns. This backdrop serves to soften the edges of the composition and create a sense of spaciousness, while also suggesting an outdoor setting, perhaps a family estate or garden. The light source appears to be diffused, illuminating the figures evenly and contributing to the painting’s overall softness.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of a mother and her children, the work seems to convey subtle social and cultural subtexts. The womans attire and posture suggest a position of relative wealth and status within society. The inclusion of the bird and the miniature portrait held by one of the children may symbolize themes of domesticity, sentimentality, or even lineage and inheritance. The overall atmosphere is one of idealized familial harmony, characteristic of portraiture from this period which often served to project an image of respectability and social standing.