Portret van Catharina de Grote, tsarina van Rusland 1710 - 1783

This is Francesco Polanzani’s portrait of Catherine the Great, Tsarina of Russia, and it was made with etching sometime in the 1700s. The portrait presents us with a formidable head of state whose enlightened rule consolidated power in the vast Russian empire. Take note of how she is framed by both the trappings of autocracy—crown, ermine robes, and military regalia—and the symbols of classical authority: the columns and arches of ancient Rome. This juxtaposition was not accidental. Catherine's power rested on her projection of herself as an enlightened monarch, one who embraced reason and promoted the arts. The visual codes of the artwork offer insight into the ambitions and self-image of imperial Russia. As art historians, we can consult documents and archives to explore this image’s significance to the history of Russia. By contextualizing the portrait, we gain insight into Catherine’s effort to shape her legacy as a powerful and enlightened ruler.