Ekaterina Vorontsova 1789

Dmitry Levitzky captured “Ekaterina Vorontsova” with oil on canvas. The oval composition, featuring a young girl, invites a sense of intimacy, drawing viewers into her private sphere. The soft pastel hues and delicate brushstrokes add to the emotional accessibility of the subject. Levitzky’s formal choices reflect the era's fascination with idealised beauty and innocence, evident in the smooth skin, rosy cheeks, and gentle smile of Ekaterina. The limited colour palette focuses our attention on the subtleties of light and shadow. This emphasis creates depth and volume while maintaining an overall sense of ethereal lightness. Furthermore, the composition within an oval format is not merely decorative; it serves to frame and concentrate our gaze. In doing so, it elevates the sitter to an almost iconographic status. This work represents a moment frozen in time and an exploration of identity through formal means.