Artwork
Portrait of Catherine II (1729-96), empress of Russia
Portrait of Catherine II (1729-96), empress of Russia is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Vigilius Eriksen. It dates from 1772 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Vigilius Eriksen, a Danish court painter active for King Christian VI, completed an oil portrait of Empress Catherine II of Russia in 1772. Executed in the Rococo style, the work now forms part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection in Amsterdam.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents Catherine II with flowing, wavy hair crowned by a delicate tiara. She is dressed in a white gown trimmed with a blue sash and a gold necklace, emphasizing her regal status and the elegance associated with eighteenth‑century imperial portraiture.
Technique & Style
Eriksen employed the soft modeling and pastel palette typical of Rococo portraiture, rendering the empress’s face and fabrics with fine detail. The background is rendered in a muted, dark tone, allowing the figure’s luminous attire to dominate the visual field.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the portrait has remained in the hands of European collections, ultimately entering the Rijksmuseum’s holdings. Its presence in a Dutch national museum reflects the broader circulation of royal portraiture across the continent during the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Vigilius Eriksen (2 September 1722 in Copenhagen – 25 May 1782 in Rungstedgård) was a Danish painter. He was the royal portraitist to Christian VI of Denmark.
