Gezicht op de tuin van het buitenhuis van de gravin van Bestoucheff in de omgeving van de stad Sint-Petersburg 1745 - 1775

Jean-François Daumont created this print of the Countess of Bestoucheff’s garden in Saint Petersburg. It offers a glimpse into the lives of the elite during the Russian Empire. The Countess, as governess of the Imperial Palace, occupied a unique position, wielding influence in a society rigidly stratified by class. The print presents a highly structured garden, mirroring the formal social order. Yet, there is also a human element: figures stroll, carriages roll. These details offer a glimpse into the daily lives and leisure of the aristocracy. Who were the gardeners? The servants? Their stories are absent from the visual narrative, yet their labor was essential to creating and maintaining this idyllic setting. This contrast speaks volumes about the power dynamics of the time, reminding us to consider whose stories are told and whose are left out.