Portret van Maria Fjodorovna I, keizerin van Rusland 1749 - 1796

This is Johann Ernst Mansfeld's rendering of Maria Fyodorovna, Empress of Russia, created using etching. The composition hinges on a structured contrast. The sharp, rectangular frame provides a rigid boundary, within which a softer, organic oval cradles the Empress's profile. This juxtaposition sets up a visual dialogue between constraint and freedom, suggesting the tensions inherent in positions of power. Mansfeld masterfully uses the etching technique to create gradations of tone that model Fyodorovna's features and elaborate coiffure. The controlled lines capture the texture of her hair and the delicate lace at her neckline. The floral garland beneath the portrait introduces a decorative element that softens the overall formality of the piece. Consider how the artist balances the precision of line with the elegance of form, inviting us to contemplate the nature of representation and the symbolic language embedded within portraiture.