Count Alexander Ivanovich Sollogoub (1788–1844) 1810

Domenico Bossi captured Count Alexander Ivanovich Sollogoub with watercolor on ivory. The cravat worn here is more than mere fashion; it’s a statement, an echo of the elaborate ruffs of the Elizabethan era, symbols of status and formality. Yet, observe how this cravat has evolved. From the stiff, starched collars that imprisoned the neck to the looser, more flowing fabric seen here, there’s a liberation, a softening. Consider its likeness to the draped fabrics of classical sculpture, a connection to the ideals of beauty and virtue. This isn't merely about aesthetics; it reflects a psychological shift. The loosening of the cravat mirrors a societal move towards greater personal expression, a rebellion against rigid constraints. The symbol of the cravat, laden with cultural memory, resurfaces, each time subtly altered, yet always carrying echoes of the past.