Vasilisa Trapeznikova came from one of the most distinguished families in the Yelokhovskaya Volost of the Rybinsk Uyezd. Her husband, Fyodor Fyodorovich Trapeznikov, in the early 1830s, became one of the first peasants of Countess Anna Orlova-Chesmenskaya who purchased their freedom from serfdom. Subsequently, he joined the Yelokhovskoye community of “free plowmen” (a social category, also known as free farmers or free agriculturalists), assumed the position of local mayor, and began engaging in trade. Their son, Yegor Trapeznikov, was later appointed clerk of Yelokhovo.

The portrait marks a change in the social standing of the Trapeznikov family. The young woman is depicted waist-length, facing forwards. Her arms are folded under her chest, creating a pose that is distinguished by its monumental rigidity. Such stiffness is reminiscent of Old Russian parsunas (early portraits) and is characteristic of the merchant portrait genre. The woman’s features are round and pretty, with narrow lips. Her light-gray eyes gaze attentively directly at the viewer.

Her dark brown hair is parted in the center and tucked under a small headdress. She is wearing a light blue dress with puffed sleeves and a wide lace collar that is tied around her neck in a manner characteristic of town ladies.

Her outfit is complemented by expressive accessories. The shoulders of Vasilisa Trapeznikova are covered by a delicate lace collar. The soft, draped folds of the scarf are juxtaposed with the rigid texture of the lace on the collar, introducing a note of contradiction into the overall uniformity of her dress.

A small headband on the sitter’s head bears a resemblance to traditional Russian headwear, such as shamshura and povoynik. A merchant’s wife would often wear a kerchief tied in a bow atop her head or a cap that mimics a kerchief. The headband is tightly wrapped around Trapeznikova’s head and contrasts in shade with the dress, creating an additional color accent.

Numerous gold rings adorning the young woman’s fingers signal wealth and material prosperity of her family. Overall, the style and method of accessorizing reflect both peasant and merchant influences. Such details reflect the history of the Trapeznikov family.