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TAPESTRY PORTRAIT OF CATHERINE II

Creator(s): Gobelins Tapestry Manufactory (Attributed to) , Pierre François Cozette (Weaver) , Fyodor Rokotov (After)

Currently in storage


About this object

This tapestry comes from a series of portraits of Catherine the Great woven at the Gobelins factory under the direction of Pierre-François Cozette. The image is based on a prototype by the Russian painter Fedor Rokotov. Catherine was extremely pleased with the results. In a letter to her friend and agent Baron Grimm, the empress announced the arrival of three copies of this tapestry in St. Petersburg, which she called "the most beautiful in the world." This tapestry belongs in the category of small panels in the shape of easel paintings that were even exhibited at the Salons from 1763 onwards.

The tapestry portrait shows Catherine II in half-length facing forward with her body turned slightly to her left. Her hair is dressed with a small crown of diamonds and a wreath of laurel leaves, and a curl cascades over either shoulder. An ermine mantel with double-headed eagles embroided on the outside is draped over her moiré and lace gown. She wears the chain of the Order of St. Andrew First Called and the red ribbon of the Order of St. Catherine. On her left breast is the star of the Order of St. Andrew.

Object name:
TAPESTRY PORTRAIT OF CATHERINE II
Made from:
Wool -- silk -- gilt wood
Made in:
Paris, France
Date made:
c. 1782
Size:
97.8 x 80 cm (38 1/2 x 31 1/2 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
41.5
Class:
TAPESTRY
Signature marks:
INSCRIPTION TARDIF PARIS [On back of frame]
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973