With great probability, the portrait depicts Maria Alexandrovna Kameken (1728–1797), daughter of Count Alexander Gavrilovich Golovkin, Russian ambassador in Berlin, and Countess Catherine Dona. Inscription on the back of the canvas: ‘No 4. MalaCtessedeKamekennéCedeGolovkine’
The painting is a copy made by the serf artist Savely from pastels by artist Johann (Johan) Bardou. There is not too much information left about the artist himself. It is known that he lived in the 18th century (more precise information about the years of his life is also unknown). Bardou was a skilled engraver, a master portraitist who worked with pastels. He studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in Berlin, from 1775 he worked in Warsaw, from 1784 to 1794 he lived and worked in Russia. The master has a numerous portrait gallery of representatives of the aristocratic society.
In the portrait we see a lady dressed in the fashion of the second half of the 18th century. At that time, the art of genteel portrait was actively developing and gaining popularity. Everyone who could pay for the services of the master strove to order his own portrait and those of his family members. The artists paid special attention to clothing, accessories and jewelry, as this was a confirmation of their high social status. Sometimes the name of the artist became history thanks to those whom he portrayed.
The lady is painted sitting in a comfortable chair. Her posture is graceful in its ease. A minimum of jewelry only emphasizes her delicate taste and ability to dress in fashion. The powdered wig, layered lace, bows and brooch, which were essential attributes of 18th century fashion, are chosen with great elegance. They do not congest the image, but, on the contrary, organically support each other due to the combination of colors and textures. A subtle smile, a warm and heartfelt look shows a model as a woman of an extraordinary mind. The folded fan in her hand and the velvet purse next to her on the table seem to suggest that she is about to leave.
The portrait came from the Bogdanovs' estate in Ryazan province in the 1920s.
The painting is a copy made by the serf artist Savely from pastels by artist Johann (Johan) Bardou. There is not too much information left about the artist himself. It is known that he lived in the 18th century (more precise information about the years of his life is also unknown). Bardou was a skilled engraver, a master portraitist who worked with pastels. He studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in Berlin, from 1775 he worked in Warsaw, from 1784 to 1794 he lived and worked in Russia. The master has a numerous portrait gallery of representatives of the aristocratic society.
In the portrait we see a lady dressed in the fashion of the second half of the 18th century. At that time, the art of genteel portrait was actively developing and gaining popularity. Everyone who could pay for the services of the master strove to order his own portrait and those of his family members. The artists paid special attention to clothing, accessories and jewelry, as this was a confirmation of their high social status. Sometimes the name of the artist became history thanks to those whom he portrayed.
The lady is painted sitting in a comfortable chair. Her posture is graceful in its ease. A minimum of jewelry only emphasizes her delicate taste and ability to dress in fashion. The powdered wig, layered lace, bows and brooch, which were essential attributes of 18th century fashion, are chosen with great elegance. They do not congest the image, but, on the contrary, organically support each other due to the combination of colors and textures. A subtle smile, a warm and heartfelt look shows a model as a woman of an extraordinary mind. The folded fan in her hand and the velvet purse next to her on the table seem to suggest that she is about to leave.
The portrait came from the Bogdanovs' estate in Ryazan province in the 1920s.
