Death in the style of fin de siecle: how did Maria Wisnowska die? (7 photos)

The end of the 19th century, as often happens, passed for society in decadent mood. It even had a special name - fin de siecle, which translates from French as "the end of the century." Than all this will end, and what awaits us ahead? Unknown. And therefore it is possible plunge into the abyss of despondency and reject generally accepted norms of morality. On the case of the end of the world, so that it would not be excruciatingly painful for about a boring and wasted life.





Actress Maria Wisnovskaya was a real star of the Warsaw drama theatre. Well earned, was spoiled by men attention. Among the suitors of the beauty were General Palitsyn and opera singer Alexander Myshuga - people in Poland are not the last. According to rumors Maria had affairs with both, but plans belong to one man the windy actress was not included.



Maria Visnovskaya

But still, life took its toll, and the woman wanted real sincere feelings. Perhaps behind them she reached out to Alexander Bartenev, a young cornet of the Life Guards of the Grodno Hussars.

The guy was not distinguished by any article, or appearance, or charm. True, he came from a good family. But not noble and not noble. AND Cornet was also not a fool to drink. Apparently it was a hereditary trait since Alexander's brother, who drank even more, drunk shop committed suicide.

Actually, the love of the couple came out like this. And not love at all, but some kind of torment: she cheated on him, he was insanely jealous of her. But he wanted to get married, obviously knowing that neither the family nor the army authorities Maria's candidacy will not be approved and permission to marry will not be given. And in reverse In the case, Alexander threatened to commit suicide. Just so strong love…



Alexander Bertenev

I must say that the couple discussed suicidal moments. Wisnovskaya, of course, was a creative nature, and it was in her nature. AND the cornet viewed everything through the prism of a simpler soul. But seriously.

On June 18, 1890, Maria went to her lover on a date, for rented apartment. Stock up on erotic outfit, revolver and opium. Such is the combination.

The couple were talking in a relaxed manner, sitting on the bed. Wisnovskaya told her lover that she was going abroad. Forever. And them love is over. She was disappointed in the theater: a place of debauchery. AND General Palitsyn puts pressure on her, demanding consent to the marriage proposal and hearts.

However, it is possible to resolve all doubts in another way: “If you loved, you would have killed me even when we once decided on it, and not would have told me that you would kill yourself alone. I don't understand how you can let me live. I am a woman, I do not have the determination that should to be with you, otherwise I would have committed suicide long ago. I'm only afraid of suffering before death, and I am not afraid of death!



Actually, Bertenev was not against it. Why pull. We don't care someday we'll die. Better now, together and beautiful. Satisfied with mutual By decision, the couple sat down to compose farewell notes.

According to the cornet, Maria herself developed a plan: she takes opium, to fall into unconsciousness, puts soaked in chloroform face scarf. And Bertenev shoots her, and then kills himself.

The plan worked, but only half. After shooting Maria the cornet felt an almost irresistible lust for life. Came to the unit confessed everything to his superiors. Say, Manu killed.

Several officers went along with Alexander to the indicated address. And we found a picture that fully reflected the notorious fin de siecle: a beautiful dead woman in a peignoir, cherries half-eaten by lovers and the saber forgotten by the cornet at Maria's feet.

The police, however, reacted less enthusiastically to the situation and more skeptically: they studied scraps of dying messages lying around under the bed. And this is the picture that emerged, judging by Mary's note:

This man threatened me with his death - I came. Live will not give Should I leave. So, my last hour has come: this man will not let me out alive. God don't leave me! My last thought is mother and art. This death is not my will.



Fedor Nikiforovich Plevako

It turns out that no romantic departure into eternity is hand in hand. hand was not planned. And it was just a murder. In the cornet's court Fyodor Plevako himself defended. Speech masterand Russian advocacy and bright The court speaker was brilliant. But it did not help the accused much: Alexander was sentenced to 8 years hard labor. True, later the sentence was replaced at the behest of the emperor by demotion to the rank and file.



Shot from the film "Game of Modern"

However, this story shook the community. Ivan Bunin dedicated to her story "The Case of Cornet Yelagin". And relatively recently, in 2003, Igor Efimov and Maxim Korostyshevsky filmed the film "Modern Game", the main roles in which were played by Yegor Beroev and Oksana Korostyshevskaya.



It is possible that, given the ambiguous and controversial outcome of history some will give up their individual "end of the century" and realize that life, in fact, is not such a bad thing.