Tzarina Natalia Alekseevna 

Ivan Nikitin painted this portrait of Tzarina Natalia Alekseevna; it currently hangs in Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery. We see a woman presented against a dark background, her figure emerging from the shadows through the use of light and color. The composition emphasizes her presence with a pyramidal structure, beginning with her broad shoulders and rising to her face and elaborate hairstyle. This compositional choice adds to her imposing figure. The artist’s use of red in her gown, offset against the dark backdrop, draws the eye and signifies status and power. The texture of the fabric, rendered with visible brushstrokes, contrasts with the smoother treatment of her face, creating a dynamic interplay between surface and depth. Nikitin here creates not just a likeness but an assertion of authority and luxury. It exemplifies how formal elements work together to construct meaning within a portrait.