Portrait of Catherine II as Legislator in the Temple of the Goddess of Justice 1783

Dmitry Levitzky painted this portrait of Catherine the Second of Russia, probably in the 1780s. It places Catherine in the guise of a Roman goddess, specifically Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, law, and strategic warfare. The artist deploys classical imagery to associate Catherine with enlightenment ideals. Justice is represented by the statue of the goddess Themis. Catherine is dressed in a simple white robe, resembling a Roman toga. She burns offerings on an altar, sacrificing worldly vanities for the good of the people. In the background, we can see ships at port, suggesting Russia’s naval power and trade connections. This idealized image of Catherine, as an enlightened leader, needs to be understood within the context of the Russian court and its project of self-representation. By studying court records, letters, and diplomatic correspondence, we can better understand the political role of this imagery and the reality of Catherine's reign.