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Acknowledgements:

The work was performed as a cooperation project between Sofia University “St Kliment Ohridski” and the University of Saarland and with the kind assistance of Gerda Henkel Stiftung.

Abstract:

The article examines the significance of the topic of France in the correspondence (1762–1774) between the French self-taught philosopher Valentin Jamre Duval and the lady-of-waiting Anastasia Sokolova (De Ribas). The correspondence is a rich source of information about the perception of the image of Russia and Catherine II in Western Europe. The letters present in a positive way the reform activities of the Empress, her legislative initiatives and achievements in various areas of Russian life. The French theme serves as a counterpoint to the image of Russia. Its interpretation is predominantly negative. Jamеray-Duval, a peasant by birth, sharply rejects the French government's policy towards the peasantry and criticizes the harsh fiscal laws. He protests against the support that France provides to the Ottoman Empire during the Russian-Turkish War of 1768–1774. As part of the military confrontation, the philosopher perceives the work of the abbe Chappe d'Auteroche “Voyage en Sibérie par ordre du Roi” (1768). Duval also opposes to the France's claim to cultural hegemony. Most of the French episodes of correspondence were shortened when the publication was carried out in 1784. The focus of the publication prepared by the famous Russian diplomat F.-A. (F.I.) Koch and designed for a Western European audience, was centered on promoting an idealized image of Russia. The cuts were clearly made taking into account possible diplomatic complications and in order to avoid unwanted analogies. The recently found originals of the letters of Valentin Jamеray-Duval allow the possibility to restore the real context of correspondence.

Кeywords: Catherine II, V. Jamеray Duval, A. Sokolova (De Ribas).