Artwork
Porträt der Princess N.P. Kurakina
Porträt der Princess N.P. Kurakina is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Augustin Ritt. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Augustin Ritt’s portrait of Princess N.P. Kurakina, painted in 1796, is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection. The canvas presents a solitary female figure set against a subdued, dark backdrop that emphasizes the subject’s attire and facial features.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified as Princess N.P. Kurakina, is depicted in a refined blue gown trimmed with a dark belt, a delicate necklace, and an ornamental headpiece. Her hair is arranged in soft curls, and she holds her hands together before her chest, a pose that conveys composure and aristocratic poise.
Technique & Style
Ritt employs a limited palette, allowing the deep blues and muted greens of the background to recede while the luminous tones of the dress and jewelry draw the eye forward. The handling of light creates a gentle modeling of the face and hands, characteristic of late‑18th‑century portraiture that balances realism with idealized elegance.
History & Provenance
Executed at the close of the 18th century, the work entered the Hermitage’s holdings during the museum’s early expansion of its Russian noble portrait collection. Its provenance traces back to the Kurakina family, reflecting the practice of commissioning personal likenesses for both private display and dynastic documentation.
Artist & collection
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