Yuliya Samoylova (countess)

Yuliya Pavlovna Samoylova, Countess Palatine (Russian: Юлия Павловна Самойлова; 29 November 1803 – 15 March 1875) was a Russian noblewoman who is best known as a close friend, confidante, and muse of the artist Karl Bryullov.

Born Yuliya Pavlovna von der Pahlen, she was the only child of Count Pavel Petrovich von der Pahlen and his wife, Maria Skavronskaya. Her father, a general and Adjutant General to Emperor Paul I, played a role in Paul's assassination, which impacted his family's reputation. Her maternal great-grandfather was the renowned scientist Karl Skavronsky, highlighting a lineage steeped in both military and intellectual prominence.

In 1825, she married Count Nikolai Alexandrovich Samoylov, a marriage arranged for societal and financial reasons. The union was short-lived and unhappy, ending in divorce in 1830. She retained the title of Countess Samoylova. After her divorce, she devoted herself to charitable works and became a prominent figure in artistic and literary circles in Russia and later in Italy.

Yuliya Samoylova played a significant role in Bryullov’s life and artistic output. She became his patron, providing him with financial support and offering him a space to live and work. Bryullov, in turn, was deeply inspired by her, painting her portrait multiple times, most famously in the monumental work "The Last Day of Pompeii" (1830–1833), where she appears as a central figure. He also depicted her in other portraits, often showcasing her beauty and refined character.

Beyond Bryullov, Samoylova was a known supporter of other artists and writers of her time. She resided primarily in Italy, establishing salons in Milan and later in her villa near Rome, where she hosted intellectuals and artists. Her home became a hub for cultural exchange, contributing significantly to the artistic atmosphere of the period.

She died in Paris in 1875 and is buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery. Yuliya Samoylova remains an important figure in the history of Russian art, primarily remembered for her close relationship with Karl Bryullov and her contribution to the art world as a patron and muse.