Anna Petrovna Lopukhina: the life path of the favorite of Paul I

Russian noble families, many of whom were born from Rurik, made a huge contribution to the development of writing, culture and the formation of statehood in our country. Each of the princes considered it their duty to do something for Russia. For example, in the nineteenth century the theological works of AP Lopukhin were widely known. The "Explanatory Bible", which includes explanations for the Old and New Testaments, became one of the most famous books of Professor Lopukhin. But not only statesmen and brave warriors remembered ancient princely surnames in history. Women of the noble family often became favorites of Russian tsars and emperors, applying their influence to solve various political issues. A special place in this series of ambitious beauties is Lopukhina Anna Petrovna, a favorite of Emperor Paul I, striving for a quiet family happiness, but by the will of fate found herself in a real whirlpool of court passions and intrigues.

Childhood favorite of Paul I: family and features of education

On September 8, 1777 Anna Petrovna Lopukhina was born in the family of a senator. The biography of this woman was not filled with a series of incredible events, but fate correctly guided her along her path, not allowing him to deviate from him by a centimeter.

The girl's mother, Praskovya Levshina, was very fond of her daughter and spoiled her in every possible way. But when Anna was eight years old, my mother suddenly fell ill and quickly died. Peter Lopukhin did not remain a widower for a long time, a handsome and handsome man always enjoyed the attention of women, so soon after the death of his wife he married again. His choice fell on Ekaterina Shetnev, who was supposed to replace the girl with her mother. But the character of the new wife was in no way suitable for the education of the young person. Shetneva preferred to lead a bustling life, in the public there were simply legends about the numerous novels of the princess. Even contemporaries did not speak highly of her moral qualities, according to rumors, the young woman had at least five lovers at the same time, some she even actively supplied with money.

For the sake of justice it is worthwhile to say that Pyotr Vasilyevich did not disdain ties on the side. Contemporaries wrote of him as a man of selfish, mean, fake and vindictive. But women with great pleasure began with him novels and forgave numerous infidelities.

Anna Petrovna Lopukhina grew up in this uneasy situation for the child. The father shifted the worries about his daughter to his second wife, and she in turn did not find time for her upbringing. The girl received a very mediocre education, and the gaps in the etiquette prevented her in her later life at court. Many ladies noticed that the Emperor's favorite is often embarrassed and does not know how to behave properly in society. At many official events, she tolerated offensive mistakes, which caused a lot of ridicule among the courtiers.

Up to twenty years Anna Petrovna Lopukhina practically did not go out into the world and led a quiet life in the estate of her father surrounded by servants. But in 1798, her life suddenly changed.

Prerequisites for meeting the emperor

At the Russian court it was rather customary to use the influence of minions to solve important state issues, to issue lands and ranks, as well as various awards. With the help of women close to the emperor, some princely groups could influence the country's domestic and foreign policies. Therefore, the yard was in constant search of young beauties, which could be replaced by the already recognized favorites.

By the time I met young Anna Paul I was already forty-four years old. He was married for a long time to Maria Feodorovna, to whom he had tender feelings and had ten joint children. The emperor himself considered his marriage extremely happy, but at the court was his former favorite Ekaterina Nelidova. Both women got on well and could even jointly convince the emperor to make a decision. Prince Kutaisov did his best to quarrel with Paul I and Nelidov, and then expel her from St. Petersburg. But numerous attempts to displace the favorite did not bring any result, it was at this time that the look of Prince Kutaisov suddenly fell on the young daughter of the Moscow senator.

Appearance of AP Lopukhina

Anna Petrovna Lopukhina, according to contemporaries, was not a beauty, but she possessed an incredible charm. The girl was short, not graceful and graceful enough to be recognized as a beauty. But along with this, the princess had large dark eyes, pleasant features, framed by dense curls, which often wore loose and meek character.

The acquaintance of Paul I with Anna Lopukhina

Arrived in Moscow, Paul I arranged a magnificent ball, in which he was introduced to a young Lopukhin. Surprisingly, a tender girl made a very strong impression on the Emperor. In addition, the crafty Kutaisov, introducing the girl, specified that she was madly in love with the emperor, which further placed Paul I to a young creature.

Literally a month later, from an allegedly accidental acquaintance of Lopukhina received an offer to come to St. Petersburg with the whole family. This trip was very beneficial for Peter Vasilyevich - he was immediately delighted with the post of the Prosecutor General and the title of prince. His loving spouse was called a state-lady, and Anna Petrovna Lopukhina herself approached Maria Feodorovna, becoming her chamber-maid of honor. This post allowed the emperor to constantly see his pet in the palace and at all social events.

To the Lopukhins had their home in the capital, the monarch gave the family a large palace on the Palace Embankment and in every possible way showered with expensive gifts.

Development of the relationship of the emperor and AP Lopukhina

Many contemporaries noted that Anna Petrovna Lopukhina did not have tender feelings for Paul I. She, undoubtedly, flattered the attention of the monarch, which was all the more so beneficial to her family. But the girl aspired to keep the emperor at some distance, constantly capricious and resentful.

With each passing day Pavel became more and more fascinated by the girl. He was ready to fulfill any of her whims, if only she was smiling and looking favorably at him. It is believed that in this period of time the relationship between the monarch and Lopukhina was platonic. The Emperor was afraid to discredit the girl and in every possible way spoiled her.

For the sake of his new favorite, Paul I introduced the waltz dance into fashion, which was banned for a long time. Even the court costumes could be changed, if Anna Petrovna asked for it for the sake of convenience. It is known that Mikhailovsky Castle acquired its color due to the fact that the burgundy color was Lopukhina's favorite shade. The Emperor did his best to please a spoiled person, but often received a new dose of whims in return.

It is worth noting that the plan of Kutaisov was a success. Ekaterina Nelidova completely disappeared from the heart of Paul I, and after a while she left St. Petersburg after her beloved friend. Maria Feodorovna lost a reliable ally, and her influence on her husband was very weak. But the courtyard did not have another opportunity to influence the emperor - Anna Petrovna did not have a passion for power and intrigue. She did not accept petitioners and did not even try to get something from the monarch to strengthen her position at court. The girl was capricious for appointments and money for her relatives, the rest of the palace life did not interest her at all.

Contemporaries Lopukhina wrote that the girl was pretty smart, but in dealing with the emperor enjoyed absolutely childish methods. She could not talk to Paul I for several days if she received a refusal from him for another request. The courtiers were surprised by the fact that Anna Petrovna did not use women's spells and did not use her flexible mind to get what she wanted. Many believed that the girl, deprived in childhood by love and attention, in every way tried to take them from the emperor.

Anna Petrovna Lopukhina: marriage

The tender feelings of Paul I to the chamber-maid of honor of his wife were visible to everyone. In honor of his chosen one, he even called the ships and knocked out her name on the standard. It seemed that the emperor completely lost his head, but once in a private conversation the girl confessed to the monarch that she has a lover to whom she has long had tender feelings. Prince Pavel Gavrilovich Gagarin chose for himself the career of a military man and at that time was on Italian soil.

Surprisingly, the emperor was so in love with his favorite that he decided to arrange her marriage with a man whom her heart desired. The prince was immediately summoned to the capital and kindly treated by the sovereign. He received a promotion, rewards and a good monetary reward for the service. Naturally, Gagarin understood the need to marry the Emperor's favorite. Maria Fyodorovna gave permission for the marriage of her chamber, the maid of honor, on the eleventh of January one thousand eight hundred and eight, and on February 8, the ceremony of the wedding took place.

Anna Petrovna Lopukhina-Gagarina acquired after the marriage the post of state-lady and thereby strengthened her position at the court. It's sad, but she did not have a relationship with her husband. Many said that Gagarin had no feelings for his wife and only married to the will of the emperor. The girl tried in every possible way to achieve the location of her husband, but he remained to her cold and spent very little time alone with his wife. The courtiers were whispering about how Anna Petrovna Lopukhina had changed greatly after her marriage. The portrait of the princess of the brush by Jean Louis Voile refers precisely to this period of the life of a young woman. It is depicted in an Amazon with a high headdress. A talented artist managed to convey the flowing sadness from the girl's big dark eyes and some timidity that showed in her appearance, despite the incredible femininity and charm. Now this portrait is kept in the Hermitage and is part of its treasury.

Continuation of relations with the emperor

The coldness of her husband pushed Lopukhin into the arms of Paul I. He was extremely pleased with the situation and loved the girl until his death. Already married she received the Order of St. Catherine and St. John of Jerusalem. Before her, only one lady was honored. The Order of Catherine looked like a small bow with a medallion depicting Catherine. He was worn on a corset, and it is known that AP Lopukhina greatly valued this award.

In the Mikhailovsky Palace, the emperor's chambers were connected with the rooms of Princess Lopukhina with a special hidden staircase, which once again confirms the fact of a love affair between Paul I and Anna Petrovna. Contemporaries argued that the monarch often spoke of Lopukhin as a quiet harbor, where you can relax after public works. The Princess did not learn how to spin intrigues, staying away from any gossip. She tried to create her own world with Paul I, reminiscent of the family, because it was Anna Petrovna who placed the family values above all else.

The death of Paul I and the future fate of Princess Lopukhina

The death of the emperor in his palace on the night of March 12, 1801, put an end to a touching love story. Lopukhina was very sad about the death of her high patron and remained with the widow of Maria Feodorovna. She strongly supported the woman, but Alexander I appointed Prince Gagarin Ambassador to Sardinia, and Anna Petrovna was forced to follow her husband to Italy.

Her family life did not become happy. Her husband still did not pay attention to her, not particularly embarrassed, making novels on the side. Exhausted by jealousy and resentment, the princess also plunged into a romantic relationship with Prince Chetvertinsky.

The death of AP Lopukhina

Life path of the princess ended very early. She died in a foreign country at the age of twenty-seven. In 1805, Anna Petrovna gave birth to a son, whose father was considered her lover Chetvertinsky. Soon the girl became infected with consumption and burned down in just a few months. On April 25 of the same year Princess Lopukhina died without regaining consciousness. Her newborn baby survived her mother for only a few months.

Surprisingly, rival Anna Petrovna Ekaterina Nelidova survived it for thirty-five years and died already quite an old lady.

Conclusion

Nobody knows how the fate of Anna Lopukhina would have developed if Paul I had survived. Perhaps their love would last for many more years, illuminating the monarch's life with light. But it is likely, historians say, that the emperor would be carried away by a new favorite. Who knows?