Mme Volkovitsky

Stub entry — needs research.

Research Status: Basic Last Updated: 2025-11-23 Diary Coverage: 1876, 1882 Type: Person

Overview

Madame Volkovitsky, of Poltava, wife of M. Volkovitsky (M_VOLKOVITSKY) and natural daughter of Prince Serge Kotchoubey (PRINCE_SERGE_KOTCHOUBEY): «Volkovitsky est marié à une fille bâtarde du Prince Serge Kotchoubey» (066.0056); «chez Mme Volkovitsky, (la fille de Kotcho[ubey]…)» (066.0244). She dined with the Bashkirtseff family in Paris on 2 January 1882 (094.0124; Mon Journal t.14 index «Wolkowitsky (Mme) : 269»), and called on them in Poltava on 7 November 1882 (097.0044: «Elle a dîné à Paris vous vous rappelez ?»; t.15 index «Volkowitsky (Mme) : 111»), where Marie calls her a natural daughter of «feu le prince Kotchoubey» and half-sister of the two princes (PRINCES_KOTCHOUBEY).

References in Diary

January 2, 1882 (094.0124): Marie mentions "A beautiful lady from Poltava, Mme Volkovitsky dined at our house, she saw me with a cold... Ah!! I am enraged that people tell me I'm sick."

This encounter frustrates Marie because:

• The visitor saw her while ill with a fever and cold
• Marie is sensitive about appearing sickly
• She worries about her reputation: "I have nothing wrong with my lungs and I pass for consumptive!"
• She fears being treated as an invalid

Significance

• Russian connection: From Poltava, a major city in Ukraine (then Russian Empire)
• Social visitor: Formal dinner guest, suggesting some social standing
• Witness to illness: Another person who saw Marie in weakened state
• Part of gossip network: Could spread word about Marie's health

Poltava Context

Poltava was:

• Major city in Russian-controlled Ukraine
• Administrative and cultural center
• Home to Russian landowners and nobility
• Connected to Ukrainian Cossack history
• Part of the social world the Bashkirtseff family came from

The fact that a "beautiful lady from Poltava" was visiting Paris and dining with the Bashkirtseffs suggests active social networks among Russian families living in or visiting Paris.

Research Needed

• Full name and identity
• Relationship to Bashkirtseff family
• Husband's identity and occupation
• Reason for being in Paris
• Duration of acquaintance
• Other appearances in diary

Related Entries

• #Poltava
• Russian expatriates (no glossary entry)
• #Health - Marie's health concerns (thematic tag)