Bikowsky

Research Status: Basic Last Updated: 2025-12-07 Diary Coverage: August 1873

Overview

Bikowsky was an acquaintance of the Bashkirtseff family, a small man whom Marie had not seen for some time before their chance encounter in Paris in August 1873.

Not the Bikowsky of Nice and Naples (1877–78). In Naples Marie meets «Bikowsky de Nice. C'est le cousin de celui de Paris» (069.0430): that cousin, prince Gryf-Jaxa-Bikowsky in the Mon Journal t.10 index, has his own entry, GRYF_JAXA_BIKOWSKY. (RSR 2026-10-21)

Personal Description

Marie describes him as:

• Very short ("petit, petit, petit")
• Grown a beard since she last saw him
• Previously looked like a 20-year-old boy, now looks like a 35-year-old man
• "Assez agréable" (rather agreeable)
• A "petit menteur quelquefois" (little liar sometimes)

Social Connections

Bikowsky appears to be part of the Russian expatriate community in France:

• Knows many people from Nice
• Familiar with Casa Play
• Has met Comtesse de Galve at social events
• Can provide detailed descriptions of people's character and mannerisms

August 1873 Encounter

The family encounters Bikowsky on the street in Paris near Mantel's hat shop on August 23:

• Marie's aunt recognizes him first
• He is delighted to meet them
• Invited to lunch at their hotel
• Accompanies them to the races at Porchefontaine on August 24
• Stays at the Grand Hotel briefly with the family

During the races, Bikowsky has the audacity to comment on the Duke of Hamilton's size ("grosseur"), which Marie finds inappropriate coming from someone so small himself.

Marie's Attitude

Marie tolerates Bikowsky but doesn't particularly enjoy his company:

• She's glad when he leaves
• She gives him only "deux doigts" (two fingers) to shake when saying goodbye
• She finds his presence somewhat constrains her behavior

Related Entries

See also: #Paris, #Duke_of_Hamilton

«Prince Jacqua de Bikowsky», «Jaxa» (1874)

The little Paris Bikowsky of 1873 calls himself prince: on 14 May 1874 the deacon presents «M. le prince Jacqua de Bikowsky, le tenant par le collet. Ce misérable petit fou est devenu presque idiot à force d'être fat» (019.0216); he has spent all he had and his aunt has turned him out (019.0217). As «Jaxa» he goes with them to the Auteuil races (019.0353), dines with them («après tout, il ne fait de mal à personne», 019.0365) and behaves «si bêtement, sottement» (019.0391); on 30 May he bursts into her room (020.0006). In September 1874 «Jaka Griff» appears at the Russian restaurant Renard with the deacon (024.0057; a garbling of «Jaxa Gryf», probable), «le prince Jaxa dîne chez nous et me fatigue» (024.0120), and «Jaxa Bikowsky, ce misérable bouffon» comes to dinner at Renard's (024.0151). Mon Journal t.3 index: «Bikowsky (prince Jacqua de), 190, 209», «Jaxa, 204, 206»; t.4 «Jaxa (prince), 158». «Jaxa» is the alternative name of the Gryf coat of arms (en.wikipedia «Gryf coat of arms»); the princely title is his own claim. The paragraphs of 1878 and 1880 that speak of «M. Bikowsky (celui de Naples)» and «le grand Bikowsky» (083.0160, 087.0159) belong to the cousin, #GRYF_JAXA_BIKOWSKY, and are tagged there.