Catherine II, Empress of Russia 1785

Francesco Bartolozzi created this engraving of Catherine II, Empress of Russia, during her reign in the late 18th century. The print depicts Catherine in regal attire, complete with a crown and ermine-lined robe, gesturing towards the viewer as though welcoming them into her presence. Images like this played a vital role in shaping Catherine’s public image both within Russia and across Europe, and this was particularly important in light of the fact that Catherine was German-born. Bartolozzi's decision to include a statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, along with the Russian coat of arms prominently displayed on the chair, reinforces Catherine's image as an enlightened and powerful ruler. The print speaks to the intersection of art, politics, and power during a period of significant social and political change, but further understanding of the artwork’s context might be found in archives and libraries. These can reveal how the image was received at the time, as well as how it contributed to the construction of Catherine’s identity as Empress.