Portrait of Greate russian empress Catherine II 

Dmitry Levitzky painted this portrait of Catherine the Second, possibly in the 1780s, and it presents a fascinating image of Imperial power. Catherine is shown not in courtly garb, but dressed as a noble of the people. This form of dress was meant to connect the Tsarina to the common folk and the virtue associated with rural life, reflecting Enlightenment ideals. Yet the symbols of power are still present: the Order of St. Vladimir sash, the imperial crown woven into her hair, and the scepter in her hand, which all suggest the power and authority she wielded. In the background, the viewer can also see a rainbow, which evokes the idea of a promised future for Russia under her reign. Images like this offer insights into the self-fashioning of elites, and prompt questions about the relationship between art and power. Investigating further into costume history and the history of the Romanov family would help us to understand the deeper meaning of the artwork.