This painting, created by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, known as the 'painter of kings and king of painters', dates back to 1858. The image of the Russian beauty captivated all European courts. But who is this irresistible woman? Varvara, the star of high society in Moscow and St. Petersburg from the Kostroma family of Mergasovs, married a graduate of Moscow University, a hussar and 'desperate heartthrob' Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov at the age of 16. Their wedding took place in May 1850. Everyone thought they lived in harmony: always together at balls, receptions, in social and literary salons. However, this was merely an illusion. The reason for the divorce was allegedly the romantic relationship of Korsakova with a certain Mr. Kozlov. The matter escalated to the point where Nikolai Sergeyevich challenged his rival to a duel. They shot at each other near Moscow, and Korsakov was wounded in the chest: 'the bullet grazed his ribs and lodged in his spine, but fate preserved him, and it was extracted with a simple knife incision.' Tired of endless rumors, the abandoned wife moved to Paris, where she soon overshadowed all the social ladies with her beauty. In the winter of 1863, at a masquerade ball, Korsakova appeared in the attire of a priestess of Tanit made of gas fabric. 'The transparent material did not conceal her enchanting feminine nature,' admired the suitors, who called her the 'Venus from Tartarus,' as the Parisians nicknamed Korsakova. The audience was struck by her magnificent figure, and the empress's face was covered with red spots. Ultimately, the gendarmes asked Varvara Dmitrievna to leave the hall. It was in this guise that Winterhalter portrayed the 30-year-old Korsakova. The white cloak with blue ribbons only creates the illusion of a dress, evoking a dual impression: Varvara Dmitrievna seems both naked and wrapped. By the way, when this portrait was exhibited in France in 1988, it was placed in the Petit Palais, a pavilion remaining from the 1900 World Exhibition. Today, this priceless canvas is kept in Russia.