Empress Catherine II 1771

This terracotta roundel of Empress Catherine II was created by Jean-Baptiste Nini. The piece immediately draws the eye to the profile of Catherine, framed by the circular form. The texture of the terracotta gives a tactile quality to the smooth, idealized features of the Empress. Around the edge, an inscription in elegant script emphasizes the power and authority inherent in her image. The round shape, a classical form, speaks to the Enlightenment ideals that Catherine embraced, while the medium itself reflects a connection to the earth, grounding her image in a sense of material reality. The monochromatic palette focuses attention on the form and texture, highlighting the skill of the artist in capturing the likeness and presence of the Empress. The circular format invites the viewer to consider the cyclical nature of power and history. This artwork is an interesting intersection of form, material, and historical context.