Lizanka and Dashenka 1794

Vladimir Borovikovsky painted these two young women, Lizanka and Dashenka, using oil on canvas in the early 19th century. Borovikovsky, who transitioned from painting icons to secular portraits, captured the shifting societal values of Russia at the time, particularly the evolving roles of women in aristocratic society. The portrait's intimacy and informality diverge from the rigid, formal depictions of earlier aristocratic portraiture. It suggests a new emphasis on personal relationships and the inner lives of women. The girls are depicted with soft, almost dreamy expressions and the gentle embrace speaks to the importance of female bonds in a society that was beginning to open up to the idea of female education and cultural influence. Yet, it is important to note that while the painting seems progressive, these depictions of women still existed within the confines of patriarchal expectations, emphasizing beauty and virtue. It reflects a moment of transition, where the personal and political are delicately intertwined, revealing both the constraints and the quiet revolutions within women’s lives.