“Portrait of Lady Zakharova” by Koldo Barroso, 2008
“Portrait of Lady Zakharova” is my latest illustration. It’s a pencil drawing that was later digitally colored. I’m very satisfied with this technique and I have enjoyed doing this particular piece and drawing all the textures in detail very much. I’ve decided that I will be using this same technique for my forthcoming portfolio work. In fact, this one is going to be printed in postcards soon and sent to different editors and magazines in the U.S. and Canada.
I also enjoyed getting into the personality of this peculiar character: Lady Zakharova. The more I worked on it, the deeper I got into her mysterious and irresistible figure. Here is a little information about her fascinating story:
“Raisa Zakharova: one of the most enigmatic figures from the Victorian era related with spiritualism circles. About her intriguing figure, there is not much for certain. The records about her life are numerous and contradictory. If there is one thing about her life that could be taken as a certainty it that she was extremely skilled at turning her own persona into a irresistible subject of conversation in the tea parties of Victorian society.
She was born in the Ukraine circa 1820 and was the only daughter of diplomat at the service of Alexander I. In 1836, she met German magician and illusionist Folker Krause and joined him as a partenaire on his theater performances and started studying the world of occult sciences. It was during a performance in London’s Drury Lane Theater that Raisa lost her right eye in a mis fortunate mistake during the execution of one of the magic numbers, which consisted of stopping an arrow shot by her husband with a bow through her own will power.
The most mis fortunate stroke of the Krauses’ life was when the recently created secret services of Imperial Russia accused them of espionage during their tours around Europe. Although there is no real historical evidence, it’s believed that they were both severely tortured, provoking the death of Folker Krause. As legend has it, Lady Zakharova was forced to witness the killing of her husband in agony in order so that the torturers could obtain a confession from her. It’s been also said that, after being raped and her hands cut off, she escaped from her executors by using some sort of control tricks or mental powers. She run away to France and soon after she reestablished herself in London were she rapidly gained a reputation in the spiritualism circles.
Contemporary witnesses and the social tabloids described her uneasy figure. Even with a disfigured face and two artificial hands -which were custom designed for her by a reputed automaton builder- she was considered one of the most beautiful ladies in London and supposedly had affairs with many relevant personalities. During the 1840′s, she invoked the curiosity of London aristocrats, intellectuals and artists by holding séances where she would use a ventriloquist doll to channel the spirit of her deceased husband. She was accused of fraud for using a simple ventriloquist trick but at some stage the doll apparently started producing ectoplasm. It’s also been said that the information appearing in the communications was pretty accurate and some of the prophetic messages from the allegedly spirit of Folker Krause were later proven. Amongst the many prophecies recorded there is a particular one that points to a black man leading North America in the 2000′s.
To add more mystery to the figure of Raisa Zakharova, many believed that the doll that she used for her paranormal communications was actually a mummy of her husband, whose corpse she preserved and got mummified by a Chinese taxidermist.”
The size of the original drawing of this piece is 16″ high, so there’s quite a lot more detail than you can see on the web site. Actually I’m planning on getting it printed in posters for sale sometime in the future. Here I have included an enlarged excerpt of the image so you can see it in detail. Hope you enjoy this piece as much as I did while making it!
You may see a large version of “Lady Zakharova” at the portfolio.
What a fascinating tale! I love the texture, especially around the edges which gives it the feel of an old worn tintype photo. My first impression before reading the story was that she was making a dead man talk, so I knew right away it had to do with spiritualism. The digital coloring is great, just the right tones throughout. I think the idea of making this a promotional postcard is super too, and hope it brings you lots of illustration work
Thanks Sue! Well… this is just part of a long story that I hope to put down sometime. There’s so much to say about Raisa’s life that I had to contain myself to be brief.
davvero molto belli questi personaggi..amo molto lo stile noir e trovo questa tua ricerca stupenda…
complimenti
Stefano
Wow! Wonderful work Koldo, fabulous story too
Bravo!
@ Stefano- Thanks! My Italian needs to get better so I did a Google translation from your words: “very beautiful .. I love these characters very noir style and I find this wonderful your search” I hope it’s OK
@ Rima- Thank a lot! You know? When I saw your “Goods & Chattels Man” drawing I realized how bad I was missing pencil drawing and in a way this is the result! I think I will be using this technique for a while because I enjoyed it so much!
¡Qué bueno, Koldo! La atmósfera y los personajes están logradísimos y van perfectos con la historia. El siniestro muñeco es genial (¿no será en realidad el cadaver momificado del malogrado Herr Krause?), parece como si fuera a ponerse a hablar entre gemidos lastimeros en cualquier momento. En fin, en mi opinión lo mejor que he visto de tu trabajo hasta el momento
@ Iban- Buff! Gracias Iban. Necesitaba oír eso, aunque no me lo crea al 100% y puedas estar equivocado… Gracias
What a fascinating character & evocative interpretation! The pencil/digital technique is perfect.
Thanks Leah. I don’t look for perfection but autenticy, makes my life easier
but I’m very pleased for your compliment.
I’m so happy that I found your artwork today! It really made my day!
I like the painting but the story is not true I googled her name in wikipedia and it doesn’t show up
@Gerald- Well, I’m not in Wikipedia and here I am!
Just for the record: The prophecy thrown out by Raisa Zakharova about a black man leading North America in the 2000’s has become true today November 4th 2008 (see article avobe).
Too bad she didn’t say when is the economic crisis going to get to an end and when sustainable clean energies are going to rule in the world!
Koldo,
What a fascinating story and illustration. She is a very strong and interesting character.
Vitor
Thanks Vitor! Don’t fall in love with her, she’s taken by a doll mummy
I absolutely LOVE this one, it’s my very favorite!
Thanks Lena! Some of your cello music would music would fit perfectly with this scene and the crying of Zakharova’s wounded heart
Koldo I’m so glad to read the story behind this print! I love it.
Hi Pat. I’m glad you like it because now it’s gonna be part of your home…
what an incredible story! i think the technique is amazing, really special, and i look forward to seeing more! perfect!
Thanks Zoe! Don’t forget that Lady Zakharova’s story is having a follow up at my Character Workshop. Well, if the readers decide to keep listening about her…