Dorothea de Ficquelmont
Encyclopedia
Countess Dolly de Ficquelmont, born Countess Dorothea (Daria Fiodorovna in Russian) von Tiesenhausen
(October 14, 1804, St. Petersburg, Russian Empire
– April 10, 1863, Venice
, Austrian Empire
) was a Russian writer and salonist. The grand-daughter of Russian Napoleonic wars
' hero General Prince Kutuzov, she was a Russian aristocrat of German Baltic origin and entered the Austrian nobility
by marriage.
, aide-de-camp of Emperor Alexandre I of Russia who died at Austerlitz
, and of Princess Elisabeth (nicknamed Lisa or Elisa) Koutouzova, daughter of Prince Kutuzov. Lisa remarried in 1811 to Count Nicolas Khitrovo, Russian special envoy in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany
. From 1815, Dolly von Tiesenhausen spent her childhood with her mother and her sister Catherine -future Lady-in-waiting of the Imperial Court of Russia
- in Reval, then moved to Florence
where she spent the rest of her youth.
On June 3, 1821, she married the twenty-seven year older Count Charles-Louis de Ficquelmont, Austrian Ambassador
before the Habsbourgs-Tuscany. Following their marriage, the Count was appointed Ambassador to the Court of King Ferdinand I of Two Sicilies in Naples
. In spite of the revolutionary troubles in the Kingdom of Two Sicilies and the increasing tensions between Austria and Naples, Dolly and her mother perfectly integrated into Naples' high aristocratic society. Nonetheless, they returned to St.Petersburg in 1823. Emperor Alexander
offered her mother, Princess Khitrova, an imperial pension and the family was often seen at Court
. A large correspondence between the Khitrovos and the Emperor shows that he had befriended the young Countess Dolly. Back in Naples in 1825, Dolly gave birth to her only daughter, Elisabeth-Alexandrine-Marie-Theresa de Ficquelmont, Countess de Ficquelmont by birth and Princess Clary und Aldringen by marriage. In 1829, Dolly's husband, Count Ficquelmont is appointed Austian Ambassador in Russia. The couple bought a palace
at 4 Palace Quay which hosted their household and was used as an Austrian Embassy. Dolly's mother, Princess Elisabeth Khitrova had her own apartments in the palace and held a Salon
. Countess Ficquelmont, who took great interest in Literature
, philosophy
, religion
and politics
, also held her own Salon
. Alexander Tourguéniev, Viazemski or Ivan Kozlov
were regulars of the Countess' Salon. Pushkin was often seen in Ficquelmont's Salon which was described by Prince Wiazemsky as a place of wisdom and intelligence
In 1839, her husband was recalled to Vienna to assume the duties of the Foreign Office, so the Ficquelmonts left Russia. During her remaining years, Dolly would essentially lived between their palaces of Vienna
and Venice
and their daughter's Castle
in Teplitz.
Her husband, Count de Ficquelmont became Minister-President
of the Empire
during the 1848's revolutionary troubles. But, close ally of Russia, he was accused of supporting the Russian repression. The Countess, who was at their Venice
's Palace at the time, was arrested twice by the Venetian guarda civil and finally had to leave the city on board an English ship with her daughter, son-in-law and grand-children. The family eventually returned to Venice after the Revolution collapsed and Count Ficquelmont died in their Venetian Palace in 1857.
After her husband's death, Dolly continued writing her correspondence and organized it in order to published it. It is mostly made up of philosophy and political thoughts. She also wrote a Journal
(Diary) in French that was published in 1950 in Italian and Russian. The St.Petersburg's period had been closely studied by historian Antony Florovski (1884–1968).
Countess Dolly de Ficquelmont is buried in Princes Clary und Aldringen's family Chapel
in Dubi, near Teplitz.
. Pushkin would also have depicted his own feelings for Dolly through Hermann's love for Lise. However, historian Leonid Grossman has said Pushkin only saw himself as a new Boccaccio. Indeed, the relationship between Countess de Ficquelmont and her husband was perfect.
Tiesenhausen
Tiesenhausen is the name of a Baltic German nobility family. The origins of the family are in Lower Saxony. During the Baltic crusades they settled in Livonia in the first half of the 12th century where they became one of the wealthiest and most important noble lineages between the 14th and 16th...
(October 14, 1804, St. Petersburg, Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
– April 10, 1863, Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
, Austrian Empire
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
) was a Russian writer and salonist. The grand-daughter of Russian Napoleonic wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
' hero General Prince Kutuzov, she was a Russian aristocrat of German Baltic origin and entered the Austrian nobility
Austrian nobility
Historically, the Austrian nobility was a privileged social class in Austria. The nobility was officially abolished in 1919 after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Former noble families and their descendants are still a part of Austrian society today, but they no longer retain any specific...
by marriage.
Biography
Dolly von Tiesenhausen was the daughter of Count Ferdinand von TiesenhausenFerdinand von Tiesenhausen
The Count Berend Gregor Ferdinand von Tiesenhausen was a Russian noble and military officer from German Baltic origin.- Biography :...
, aide-de-camp of Emperor Alexandre I of Russia who died at Austerlitz
Battle of Austerlitz
The Battle of Austerlitz, also known as the Battle of the Three Emperors, was one of Napoleon's greatest victories, where the French Empire effectively crushed the Third Coalition...
, and of Princess Elisabeth (nicknamed Lisa or Elisa) Koutouzova, daughter of Prince Kutuzov. Lisa remarried in 1811 to Count Nicolas Khitrovo, Russian special envoy in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany
Grand Duchy of Tuscany
The Grand Duchy of Tuscany was a central Italian monarchy that existed, with interruptions, from 1569 to 1859, replacing the Duchy of Florence. The grand duchy's capital was Florence...
. From 1815, Dolly von Tiesenhausen spent her childhood with her mother and her sister Catherine -future Lady-in-waiting of the Imperial Court of Russia
Lady-in-waiting of the Imperial Court of Russia
The Ladies-in-waiting of the Imperial Russian Court are noblewomen of high aristocracy at the service of the women of the Imperial family...
- in Reval, then moved to Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
where she spent the rest of her youth.
On June 3, 1821, she married the twenty-seven year older Count Charles-Louis de Ficquelmont, Austrian Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
before the Habsbourgs-Tuscany. Following their marriage, the Count was appointed Ambassador to the Court of King Ferdinand I of Two Sicilies in Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
. In spite of the revolutionary troubles in the Kingdom of Two Sicilies and the increasing tensions between Austria and Naples, Dolly and her mother perfectly integrated into Naples' high aristocratic society. Nonetheless, they returned to St.Petersburg in 1823. Emperor Alexander
Alexander I of Russia
Alexander I of Russia , served as Emperor of Russia from 23 March 1801 to 1 December 1825 and the first Russian King of Poland from 1815 to 1825. He was also the first Russian Grand Duke of Finland and Lithuania....
offered her mother, Princess Khitrova, an imperial pension and the family was often seen at Court
Royal court
Royal court, as distinguished from a court of law, may refer to:* The Royal Court , Timbaland's production company*Court , the household and entourage of a monarch or other ruler, the princely court...
. A large correspondence between the Khitrovos and the Emperor shows that he had befriended the young Countess Dolly. Back in Naples in 1825, Dolly gave birth to her only daughter, Elisabeth-Alexandrine-Marie-Theresa de Ficquelmont, Countess de Ficquelmont by birth and Princess Clary und Aldringen by marriage. In 1829, Dolly's husband, Count Ficquelmont is appointed Austian Ambassador in Russia. The couple bought a palace
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
at 4 Palace Quay which hosted their household and was used as an Austrian Embassy. Dolly's mother, Princess Elisabeth Khitrova had her own apartments in the palace and held a Salon
Salon (gathering)
A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine taste and increase their knowledge of the participants through conversation. These gatherings often consciously followed Horace's definition of the aims of poetry, "either to...
. Countess Ficquelmont, who took great interest in Literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
and politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, also held her own Salon
Salon (gathering)
A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine taste and increase their knowledge of the participants through conversation. These gatherings often consciously followed Horace's definition of the aims of poetry, "either to...
. Alexander Tourguéniev, Viazemski or Ivan Kozlov
Ivan Kozlov
Ivan Ivanovich Kozlov was a Russian Romantic poet and translator. As D. S. Mirsky noted, "his poetry appealed to the easily awakened emotions of the sentimental reader rather than to the higher poetic receptivity"....
were regulars of the Countess' Salon. Pushkin was often seen in Ficquelmont's Salon which was described by Prince Wiazemsky as a place of wisdom and intelligence
In 1839, her husband was recalled to Vienna to assume the duties of the Foreign Office, so the Ficquelmonts left Russia. During her remaining years, Dolly would essentially lived between their palaces of Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
and their daughter's Castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
in Teplitz.
Her husband, Count de Ficquelmont became Minister-President
Minister-President
A minister-president is the head of government in a number of European countries or subnational governments, in which a parliamentary or semi-presidential system of government prevails, who presides over the council of ministers...
of the Empire
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
during the 1848's revolutionary troubles. But, close ally of Russia, he was accused of supporting the Russian repression. The Countess, who was at their Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
's Palace at the time, was arrested twice by the Venetian guarda civil and finally had to leave the city on board an English ship with her daughter, son-in-law and grand-children. The family eventually returned to Venice after the Revolution collapsed and Count Ficquelmont died in their Venetian Palace in 1857.
After her husband's death, Dolly continued writing her correspondence and organized it in order to published it. It is mostly made up of philosophy and political thoughts. She also wrote a Journal
Journal
__FORCETOC__A journal has several related meanings:* a daily record of events or business; a private journal is usually referred to as a diary....
(Diary) in French that was published in 1950 in Italian and Russian. The St.Petersburg's period had been closely studied by historian Antony Florovski (1884–1968).
Countess Dolly de Ficquelmont is buried in Princes Clary und Aldringen's family Chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
in Dubi, near Teplitz.
The Countess and Pushkin
Pushkin met Countess de Ficquelmont during Fall 1829 and was often invited to her St.Petersburg Palace. They became friends. In 1922 historian Mstislav Tsiavlovski published poet Nachtchokine's writings (Pushkin's friend): according to Barteniev, Pushkin was in love with a brilliant socialite noblewoman holding a Salon in St.Petersburg. Even if the lady is not named, no doubts she is Countess de Ficquelmont. Ficquelmont's palace is also believed to be the frame for the old Countess' palace in Pushkin's The Queen of SpadesThe Queen of Spades (story)
"The Queen of Spades" is a short story by Alexander Pushkin about human avarice. Pushkin wrote the story in autumn 1833 in Boldino and it was first published in the literary magazine Biblioteka dlya chteniya in March 1834...
. Pushkin would also have depicted his own feelings for Dolly through Hermann's love for Lise. However, historian Leonid Grossman has said Pushkin only saw himself as a new Boccaccio. Indeed, the relationship between Countess de Ficquelmont and her husband was perfect.
Source
- Фикельмон, Дарья Федоровна
- М. И. Гиллельсон. Пушкин в итальянском издании дневника Д. Ф. Фикельмон