Who painted Catharine II?

Catharine II was painted by Michail Schibanoff.

Where can I see Catharine II?

Catharine II is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Catharine II?

Catharine II is associated with Rococo painting.

Catharine II by Michail Schibanoff — Meaning & Museum

About this work

To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, look up chiaroscuro.

The painting shows a woman with short, curly hair. She's wearing a dark hat with a tassel and a fancy jacket with gold embroidery. The background is dark.

The woman's face is serious, and she's looking straight ahead. Her jacket has a big, round button and a sash across her chest. The embroidery on her jacket is intricate and detailed.

This painting is a portrait of a woman from the 18th century. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, look up chiaroscuro.

Overview

Catharine II is an oil painting created in 1792 by Mikhail Shibanov, a Russian artist of the late 18th century. The work depicts a solemn, 18th-century woman in formal attire against a dark background.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is identified as Catharine II, though the painting's somber tone and direct gaze convey a sense of gravity rather than regal grandeur typical of royal portraits. Her attire, including a dark hat, intricately embroidered jacket, and sash, suggests a portrayal of dignity and formality.

Technique & Style

Executed in the Rococo style, the painting features meticulous attention to detail, evident in the intricate gold embroidery on the subject's jacket. Shibanov's use of chiaroscuro creates strong contrasts between light and dark, enhancing the overall solemnity of the portrait.

History & Provenance

Mikhail Shibanov, a serf of Prince Grigory Potemkin, produced this work in 1792. The painting is now part of the collection at Statens Museum for Kunst.

Context

As a work from the 1780s Russian art scene, Catharine II reflects the enduring influence of European artistic movements like Rococo among the Russian nobility and aristocratic circles, despite Shibanov's status as a serf.

Legacy

While specific impact or widespread recognition of Catharine II beyond its collection is not highlighted, it remains a notable example of late 18th-century Russian portraiture under the influence of European styles.

Artist & collection

Artist

Michail Schibanoff

Mikhail Shibanov (Russian: Михаил Шибанов) was a Russian painter active during the 1780s; a portrait of Count Alexander Dmitriev-Mamonov of which he is known to be the author dates to about this time.