Voyeïkoff (Madame Voyeïkoff)

Basic Aktualizováno: 2025-12-07

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

Overview

Madame Voyeïkoff was a Russian acquaintance of the Bashkirtseff family, living in Paris with her children in August 1873. Marie had known the family previously and is disappointed by how much Madame Voyeïkoff has changed.

Personal Description

Marie's observations about Madame Voyeïkoff in August 1873:

Has gained weight ("elle a grossi")
Has become ugly ("devenue laide")
Extremely affected in manners ("maniérée à l'impossible")
Completely changed from her former self
No longer the pleasant "aimable Mme Voyeïkoff" she once was
Now "une affectée, laide, bête et sans manières" (affected, ugly, stupid and ill-mannered)

Family

Madame Voyeïkoff has daughters, including:

Julie: described as "la même vilaine" (still ugly)
Other children who "n'ont pas grandi" (haven't grown)
The daughters have been placed in an institute (boarding school)

Marie considers the children "de vilains enfants" (nasty children) and approves of their being sent to boarding school.

Social Position

The Voyeïkoff family appears to be part of the Russian expatriate community in Paris:

Living in Paris during the summer of 1873
Maintains social connections with other Russian families
The family diacre (deacon) is invited to lunch with them
Aware of gossip about other Russian aristocrats

August 1873 Visit

When the Bashkirtseffs visit in Paris:

They call at the Voyeïkoff home
The diacre (deacon) accompanying Marie's aunt is invited to lunch
Marie has an uncomfortable conversation with Julie about education
Marie firmly leaves as soon as polite to do so

The Education Debate

Julie criticizes extensive study, especially Latin and Greek, as foolish for women. Marie argues that women should study as much as men and that knowing only how to chatter in French and discuss fashion is insufficient. The exchange reveals class and educational attitudes among Russian expatriate families.

Marie's Attitude

Marie finds the visit tedious and is "vraiment contente" (truly happy) to leave. The changed Madame Voyeïkoff represents everything Marie dislikes: pretension without substance, affected manners, and intellectual shallowness.