Catherine the Great of Russia (1729–1796)
Unknown
ca. 1790 · Onyx and gold · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
In his catalogue of Weil’s collection Ernst Kris suggested the Austrian archduchess and Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa as the subject of this portrait, but the imposing countenance and ample bosom are those of Catherine the Great (1729–1796) in advanced age. She favored many foreign carvers with orders and also created imperial workshops in the provinces. This tiny oval could have been carved by a German in her employ.
- Artist
- Unknown
- Date
- ca. 1790
- Medium
- Onyx and gold
- Culture
- possibly German
- Department
- European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
- Credit line
- The Milton Weil Collection, 1939
