Portrait of M.D. Gurieva at The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg

myminifactory

One of the most remarkable sculptures in the Lorenzo Bartolini section is the 1821 full-figure portrait of countess Mariana Naryškina Gurieva, commissioned by Bartolini as a tribute to his friend Ingres and carved in marble that same year (now housed at the Hermitage). The portrait defies Neoclassical conventions and captures a vibrant, dynamic image of the Russian noblewoman, dressed in a stunning neo-Renaissance robe but with an air of casual freedom as her head is slightly turned as if she were engrossed in a captivating story. This work showcases one of Bartolini's most pioneering periods, marked by his renewed dedication to studying and working closely with his painter friend Jean Auguste-Domnique Ingres, whom he had met two years earlier at the school of David. Ingres resided in Florence from 1820 to 1824, initially as the guest of the sculptor before their relationship soured due to Bartolini's challenging behavior. The two artists sought to supplant Neoclassical ideals with a more expressive, sensitive portrayal of figures. This can be observed in some collaborative works, particularly those commissioned in 1820-21 by Count Nikolaj Gur’ev, who requested Ingres create his portrait (an exceptional work now housed at the Hermitage) and Bartolini sculpt the portrait of his wife. The magnificent plaster model in Prato bears the inscription: “Bartolini created this and dedicated it to his friend Ingres”, and demonstrates a strongly innovative character in the countess's unbridled natural pose as she reclines against a rock. Her vitality is accentuated by the slight twist of her head. An exquisite thin neo-Renaissance robe with an fashionable plunging neckline and rich drapery envelops the youthful figure, emphasizing her soft, pulsating forms.