The famous artist Karl Brullov wrote many wonderful paintings in the style of romanticism, which made him famous and strengthened his fame as a truly outstanding master of his craft. It is not surprising that his personal life was no less turbulent than his creative life, but his only muse, to whom he had special feelings, always remained Countess Julia Samoilova. And the lady she was very peculiar, and so much so that just the stories of her adventures could lead to considerable embarrassment to all the “decent” young ladies of the time. We will talk about the love story of Karl Briullov and Julia Samoilova in this article.
The Last Day of Pompeii.
About Samoilova went a variety of rumors. For example, that she could not refuse anyone, so in her boudoir were all the men whom Samoilova ever invited to her estate. And if suddenly someone was too stubborn, then the servants were involved in the case, and the stubborn had to choose: to be beaten or still give in to the affectionate countess. Samoilova herself did not even reject these rumors, they were an integral part of her image as a loving and freedom-loving lady, alien to various social prejudices. But it is doubtful that anyone would have resisted the charms of such a rare beauty, although Samoilova sometimes liked to crack “hard nuts”.
Portrait of Countess Y. P. Samoilova with her pupil Giovanina Pacini and an Arabian boy
However, she could afford to live as she wished, because she had a considerable fortune, was very educated, and her reputation as a decent girl already in her youth was hopelessly spoiled. At the age of 15, when Julia, who had a maiden name Palen, served as a maid of honor at the imperial court, https://artalebrio.com/news/view/792she took a fancy to Emperor Alexander I, and he made her his mistress.
Stepan Shchukin. Portrait of Alexander I
Pregnancies were interrupted by the life-medics, so she remained forever infertile. After a few years, Alexander I got bored with this relationship, and he decided to marry her off to some young nobleman. True, the queue of grooms was not observed despite the fact that Julia was a real beauty. However, the Emperor chose his wing adjutant Nikolai Samoilov, who at first was strongly opposed. But Nicholas's parents explained to the incomprehensible young man that the Emperor does not ask, but orders, and it is impossible to disobey him.
Peter Sokolov. Count Nikolai Alexandrovich Samoilov.
However, Samoilov tried to show with all his appearance that he was hurt by such a dishonorable marriage, so he drank to excess, went to the merry girls and played cards, good for Julia received a good dowry.
In the end, the court formalized their official divorce, and Samoilova became completely free to choose their cavaliers.
Bryullov met Samoilova in Italy, when he worked on the painting “The Last Day of Pompeii” (1828-1833).
The Last Day of Pompeii
She immediately won him over with her irrepressible temperament, the mature beauty of a southern woman, disregard for the prohibitions and conventions of society. Samoilova volunteered to pose for the painting, and Bryullov depicted her three times: a girl with a jug on her head, a mother who clung to herself in a vain attempt to somehow save and protect her grown-up daughters, and lying in the center of the picture of a woman near whom a defenseless infant swarms.
The Last Day of Pompeii. excerpt
However, this was only the beginning: Samoilova adopted two Italian girls - Giovanina and Amacilia, and Bryullov was happy to paint her portraits with the girls. And their relationship resembled a volcano, although both Briullov and Samoilova did not consider it necessary to be faithful to each other, and as Julia said: “I will not jump into the Volga because of my love for Briullov.
Horsewoman. Portrait of Giovanina and Amacilia Pacini, pupils of Countess Y. P. Samoilova
Then there was an extremely unsuccessful marriage of Brullov to Emilia Timm, when he scandalously threw his young wife out of the house, and 40 days later divorced. To console the artist came Samoilova, and it clearly she succeeded: Bryullov began to work again, and wrote one of her best portraits.
It depicts Samoilova with her pupil, but the main thing - a scarlet curtain, which symbolically separates her from other “theater jesters” of decent society, shows that she is above their ridiculous prejudices.
Portrait of Countess Julia Pavlovna Samoilova leaving a ball with her adopted daughter Amalicia Pacchini
However, in 1845 they did part: Samoilova jumped out to marry a young singer Perry, who was 20 years younger than her. But he, unfortunately, died a year later of consumption, and the unfortunate widow lived a very long life, 23 years longer than was allotted to Carl Brullov.
Buy handmade goods or modern art you can on artAlebrio - is an international marketplace for people who want to create, sell, buy and collect unique items and art - buy the best with us artAlebrio.com.
By confirming your order you unconditionally accept these General Conditions of Sale
