Portret van Catharina I, keizerin van Rusland 1725 - 1780

Jacob Houbraken created this engraving of Catherine I, Empress of Russia, sometime in the 18th century. Born a peasant, Catherine’s rise to power is a fascinating example of social mobility, but one that also speaks to the gendered expectations placed on female rulers. Portraits of monarchs often served as propaganda, and Houbraken's image is no exception. Catherine is presented as both powerful and feminine, wearing a fur-trimmed gown and a jeweled tiara. Yet, the low cut of her dress hints at the rumors surrounding her personal life, rumors that swirled due to her gender and low birth. Consider how Catherine navigated a world dominated by men, using her femininity to her advantage while simultaneously asserting her authority as empress. The portrait asks us to consider the complexities of female leadership in a patriarchal society, and the ways in which women in power are often judged by different standards than their male counterparts.