A Portrait of Graf Platon Zubov 1956

Zinaida Serebriakova rendered this likeness of Count Platon Zubov using pastel in 1956. Zubov's wedding ring is prominently displayed, a symbol of commitment, status, and belonging that has coursed through the arteries of time. Rings, as emblems of enduring bonds, echo through history. Think of ancient Roman betrothals, where iron rings signified ownership, a far cry from today's romantic symbolism. Later, the intertwined rings of the Renaissance alluded to unity and eternity, resurfacing even in modern mathematical concepts. The ring evolves, adapting to cultural currents while anchoring us to primal instincts of love, protection, and social cohesion. It's a potent little artifact, silently broadcasting a narrative of human connection. Within the closed circle of that ring lies a story that speaks of time itself.