Book of the Marquise, Illustration 9 - Konstantin Somov

A delicate Rococo-inspired illustration by Konstantin Somov, featuring a woman in period dress, taken from his 1918 collection, The Book of the Marquise.

This illustration originates from the 1918 edition of 'Le Livre de la Marquise' (The Book of the Marquise), a collection of erotic and lighthearted literature compiled by Konstantin Somov. As a founding member of the Mir Iskusstva (World of Art) group, Somov frequently returned to the aesthetics of the eighteenth century. He found inspiration in the artifice, fashion, and social rituals of the French Rococo period, reinterpreting them through a modern, slightly melancholic lens.

The image depicts a woman in period attire, her hair styled in an elaborate coiffure adorned with a hat and ribbons. She holds a fan to her face, a gesture that suggests both modesty and playfulness. The circular composition is framed by a hatched border, which mimics the appearance of a printed vignette or a cameo. Somov employs a delicate line quality, using ink to define the contours of the figure while applying soft watercolour washes to provide colour. The background features stylised, rounded trees, which reinforce the theatrical, garden-like setting common in his work.

Somov was known for his technical precision and his interest in the intersection of historical pastiche and personal fantasy. His work for 'The Book of the Marquise' is widely recognised for its stylistic consistency and its ability to evoke the spirit of the Ancien Régime. The muted palette and the focus on decorative elements reflect the artist's preoccupation with beauty and the art of the miniature. This print captures the essence of Somov's aesthetic, which balances historical reference with a distinct, personal sensibility. The work remains a representative example of the Russian Silver Age, a period marked by a fascination with European cultural history and a refined approach to graphic design.