Portrait of Catherine I
1720s
- Enamel, gold. 4.2 x 3.5 (oval)
- Ж-3056
Received in 1930 from the State Hermitage- Provinance: collection of Prince Lev Kochubei
- Period 18th century
- CategoryPortrait
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Catherine Alexeyevna (née Marta Skowrońska) (April 15, 1684 – May 6, 1727). Second spouse of Peter the Great (became his wife on February 19, 1712). On May 7, 1724 Peter crowned her as empress-consort and made her his co-ruler. On January, 1725 she became Empress of Russia.
Traditionally the image is seen as the “Tannauer’s type.” The composition and the color of the dress make it similar to a portrait painted by Ivan Adolsky. Identical portraits created by Ovsov are housed in the State Hermitage and in the State Historical Museum. Catherine is depicted wearing a red gown and a purple mantle lined with ermine, with a ribbon and a star of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, and a small crown on her head. Her hair is plated with strings of large pearls.