SOPHIA ALEXANDROVNA BOBRINSKAYA, NÉE SAMOILOVA, (?) FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM

Creator(s): Petr Fedorovich Sokolov (Painter)

Currently in storage

About this object

The portrait may depict Sophia Alexandrovna Bobrinskaya, née Samoilova (1797-1866), the wife of Count Alexei Alexeevich Bobrinsky (1800-1868). She was portrayed by Petr Sokolov in 1827, as was her brother, Nicholas Alexandrovich Samoilov (1800-1842). The latter was the husband of the famous countess Julia Samoilova (1803-1875), whose portrait by Karl Briullov is one of Hillwood’s masterpieces (51.73). Countess Bobrinsky’s portrait is one of two portraits signed by Petr Sokolov in the Middleton Album (the other is 52.39.32). The portrait features her in an elegant pose typical of Sokolov’s style.

The bust-length portrait presents a young lady, possibly Sophia Alexandrovna Bobrinskaya, with her body facing partly left and her face and eyes turned towards the viewer, against a neutral background. Her red-brown hair is covered by a wide-brimmed hat save for the ringlets framing the sides of her face. The hat is decorated with a red striped bow at the crown and corresponding ribbon ties. She wears a light grey coat with dark grey tassels and trim over a white shirt with a ruffled edge. Her only jewelry is a triple-stranded pearl necklace and a pair of pearl earrings.

Object name:

SOPHIA ALEXANDROVNA BOBRINSKAYA, NÉE SAMOILOVA, (?) FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM

Made from:

Watercolor on paper

Made in:

Saint Petersburg, Russia

Date made:

ca. 1825

Size:

H. 7 7/8 in., W. 6 3/4 in.

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

52.39.42

Signature marks:

SIGNATURE Socolow Proper left side, center Inscription Comtesse Bobrinsky nèe de Zacharjewsky Bottom of page In cursive

Credit line:

Museum Purchase, 2004