Fascinating post and perfect timing as we will be visiting the Kunstmuseum Basel this afternoon where Dostoevsky had a near seizure in 1867 as related in Anna's memoirs:
“On our way to Geneva, we stopped for a day in Basel to see a painting in the museum there that my husband had heard about. This painting by Hans Holbein depicts Christ who has endured inhuman torment, already taken down from the cross and decaying. His bloated face is covered with bloody wounds and his appearance is terrible. The painting had a crushing impact on Fyodor Mikhailovich. He stood before it as if stunned. And I did not have the strength to look at it – it was too painful for me, particularly in my sickly [pregnant] condition – and I went into the other rooms. When I came back after fifteen or twenty minutes, I found him still riveted to the same spot in front of the painting. His agitated face had a kind of dread in it, something I had noticed more than once during the first moments of an epileptic seizure. Quietly I took my husband by the arm, led him into another room and sat him down on a bench, expecting the attack from one minute to the next. Luckily this did not happen. He calmed down little by little and left the museum, but insisted on returning once again to view this painting which had struck him so powerfully.”
Thank you for your comment. Once one is aware of the impact of Holbein's painting on Dostoevsky, one sees it everywhere in Dostoevsky's work. This is a good opportunity to recommend the fantastic "Summer in Baden Baden" by Leonid Tsypkin. With a dizzying writing style, Tsypkin submerges the reader into the life of Snitkina and Dostoevsky during their time in Germany. Dostovesky's visits to see Holbein's paintings are riveting. Tsypkin seamlessly weaves in his own life as a Soviet Jew who deeply admires Dostoevsky's work and attempts to reconcile that admiration with Dostoevsky's open anti-Semitism. Everyone with an interest in Dostoevsky should read (and enjoy) this book.
This painting 🇨🇭was absolutely critical for the salvation of Fyodor's life and sanity. It was a true mercy of grace that Divine Providence led him to it's viewing. I believe that most people would have never read most of his best work ✍🏼 without this critical moment of μετάνοια, turning of the mind, ❤️🩹 which this particular painting seared into his ☦️ psyche and nous. (faith hope love)
Christ is in our midst, He is now and ever shall be!
It would be interesting to compare Anna and Dostoyevsky's relationship with that of Tolstoy and his wife- they both did a massive amount of good for their husbands, but haven't always been recognized for it.
Mrs. Tolstoy, like Anna, acted as his secretary and a writing advisor. She didn't possess Anna's entrepreneurial skills, but she became well known after her diaries were posthumously published.
I would really like you to find a female author whose husband did all that for her. I mean look at all the great women who influenced, helped and did everything to ensure the success of the husband’ work. Surely there are the same number in the reverse? Really it’s hard to find?
The Life of Dostoevsky is a serial 📽️📺🇷🇺 that can be streamed, Russian w English Subtitles. (pretty good✅) Anna is shown as the stable anchor. The Novella, "The Gambler" is very insightful when it comes to addiction and compulsion. ♠️🎲🎰 (roulette wheels🤑👹😳) I highly recommend this short book as an entry into Russian Lit and culture. Grace and Peace to you on this ⚜️ Feast of the SYNAXIS of All Saints of the Diveyevo Convent, 2024 Anno Domini. ⛪♥️🌐☦️
I had no idea! Thanks for bringing Anna D to life here. Reminds me of Sofia Tolstaya and her contributions to Leo's career. These were strong and smart Russian ladies who had everything to lose due to their husbands' compulsive gambling. Thankfully they managed to be partners in the best sense of the word and brought great art to Russia and the world.
She was a suffering servant, mother to their 13 children and Leo's assistant. She transcribed War and Peace from his manuscript. Thanks to @SimonHaisell, I have learned so much reading War and Peace this year. Leo stopped gambling after his marriage, but he was a horrible businessman. His wife made sure they were financially sound. She served his genius as she says in her diary.
Thank you so much for writing about this. It’s fascinating what it takes to make people “great.” Seems it’s often other people (often women) being great at things we aren’t acknowledging.
Oh this is so inspiring! I recently lamented that there needs to be equal interest into the life of women. Into the partners of ‘great men’. So this makes me incredibly happy!
Fascinating post and perfect timing as we will be visiting the Kunstmuseum Basel this afternoon where Dostoevsky had a near seizure in 1867 as related in Anna's memoirs:
“On our way to Geneva, we stopped for a day in Basel to see a painting in the museum there that my husband had heard about. This painting by Hans Holbein depicts Christ who has endured inhuman torment, already taken down from the cross and decaying. His bloated face is covered with bloody wounds and his appearance is terrible. The painting had a crushing impact on Fyodor Mikhailovich. He stood before it as if stunned. And I did not have the strength to look at it – it was too painful for me, particularly in my sickly [pregnant] condition – and I went into the other rooms. When I came back after fifteen or twenty minutes, I found him still riveted to the same spot in front of the painting. His agitated face had a kind of dread in it, something I had noticed more than once during the first moments of an epileptic seizure. Quietly I took my husband by the arm, led him into another room and sat him down on a bench, expecting the attack from one minute to the next. Luckily this did not happen. He calmed down little by little and left the museum, but insisted on returning once again to view this painting which had struck him so powerfully.”
Wow. Powerful.
Thank you for your comment. Once one is aware of the impact of Holbein's painting on Dostoevsky, one sees it everywhere in Dostoevsky's work. This is a good opportunity to recommend the fantastic "Summer in Baden Baden" by Leonid Tsypkin. With a dizzying writing style, Tsypkin submerges the reader into the life of Snitkina and Dostoevsky during their time in Germany. Dostovesky's visits to see Holbein's paintings are riveting. Tsypkin seamlessly weaves in his own life as a Soviet Jew who deeply admires Dostoevsky's work and attempts to reconcile that admiration with Dostoevsky's open anti-Semitism. Everyone with an interest in Dostoevsky should read (and enjoy) this book.
This painting 🇨🇭was absolutely critical for the salvation of Fyodor's life and sanity. It was a true mercy of grace that Divine Providence led him to it's viewing. I believe that most people would have never read most of his best work ✍🏼 without this critical moment of μετάνοια, turning of the mind, ❤️🩹 which this particular painting seared into his ☦️ psyche and nous. (faith hope love)
Christ is in our midst, He is now and ever shall be!
What a fascinating account! The people (often women) behind great writers are a subject worthy of study
Yes!
It would be interesting to compare Anna and Dostoyevsky's relationship with that of Tolstoy and his wife- they both did a massive amount of good for their husbands, but haven't always been recognized for it.
I’m ignorant of the Tolstoy relationship. I’d love to hear more.
Mrs. Tolstoy, like Anna, acted as his secretary and a writing advisor. She didn't possess Anna's entrepreneurial skills, but she became well known after her diaries were posthumously published.
Thanks for the tip!
Wow. I didn't expect to be interested in this post, but it turned out to be fascinating. Thanks.
Thanks for giving it a try. I was blown away by the book.
I would really like you to find a female author whose husband did all that for her. I mean look at all the great women who influenced, helped and did everything to ensure the success of the husband’ work. Surely there are the same number in the reverse? Really it’s hard to find?
I’ve not encountered many—or any—stories like that yet. I’m sure there are some, but I suspect the ratio skews the other direction dramatically.
Fascinating!
Pretty wild, right?
I think a great film could be made about the period from Dostoevsky’s crisis around writing The Gambler to his proposal and marriage to Anna.
Agreed. It’s got all the elements of great story!
The book has been optioned for film! Announced in Variety a while back. Not sure of the status at the moment. https://variety.com/2023/film/global/matt-dillon-aimee-lou-wood-malgorzata-szumowska-the-gambler-wife-1235614121/
The Life of Dostoevsky is a serial 📽️📺🇷🇺 that can be streamed, Russian w English Subtitles. (pretty good✅) Anna is shown as the stable anchor. The Novella, "The Gambler" is very insightful when it comes to addiction and compulsion. ♠️🎲🎰 (roulette wheels🤑👹😳) I highly recommend this short book as an entry into Russian Lit and culture. Grace and Peace to you on this ⚜️ Feast of the SYNAXIS of All Saints of the Diveyevo Convent, 2024 Anno Domini. ⛪♥️🌐☦️
I knew FD was chaotic but had no idea who ordered it behind the scenes. Great piece!
She kept the boat upright for all those years.
I had no idea! Thanks for bringing Anna D to life here. Reminds me of Sofia Tolstaya and her contributions to Leo's career. These were strong and smart Russian ladies who had everything to lose due to their husbands' compulsive gambling. Thankfully they managed to be partners in the best sense of the word and brought great art to Russia and the world.
I need to read more about Tolstoy’s wife. I don’t know anything about her.
She was a suffering servant, mother to their 13 children and Leo's assistant. She transcribed War and Peace from his manuscript. Thanks to @SimonHaisell, I have learned so much reading War and Peace this year. Leo stopped gambling after his marriage, but he was a horrible businessman. His wife made sure they were financially sound. She served his genius as she says in her diary.
Leo was quite wealthy and a Count.
Thank you so much for writing about this. It’s fascinating what it takes to make people “great.” Seems it’s often other people (often women) being great at things we aren’t acknowledging.
The story of George Orwell’s wife is a tragedy: https://www.millersbookreview.com/p/anna-funder-wifedom-mrs-orwell
That is a very tragic story. Think of what they could have done together if Orwell had been a different man.
Thank you, the Anna and Fyodor love story is epic.
Grace and Peace to you, may this tale of sticking it out against long odds 🎰🎲♠️🃏❤️✅ find the reception it deserves. ✍🏼📚🌳🕯️🔔📿🇷🇺☦️⛪
Amen.
Oh this is so inspiring! I recently lamented that there needs to be equal interest into the life of women. Into the partners of ‘great men’. So this makes me incredibly happy!
Does God exist?? Core of all his work^^