Artwork
Portrait of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna
Portrait of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Louis Tocqué. It dates from 1758 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Created in France, the work functions as a formal state portrait designed to project the power and legitimacy of the Russian monarchy to a European audience.
Louis Tocqué's 1758 oil painting depicts Elizabeth I of Russia as the central figure, presenting her in full court dress. The Empress is shown holding a sceptre, a traditional emblem of sovereign authority that underscores her imperial status. Created in France, the work functions as a formal state portrait designed to project the power and legitimacy of the Russian monarchy to a European audience.
The inclusion of specific regalia alongside her elaborate attire serves to visually codify her role as the autocrat of Russia.
Technique & Style
Created in 1758, this portrait is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The work measures 262 cm in height and 204 cm in width, presenting a full-length depiction of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. Stylistically, the painting captures the subject in court dress while holding a sceptre, adhering to the formal conventions of 18th-century portraiture.
The medium and dimensions reflect the grand scale typical of imperial commissions intended for display in major collections.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna was created by the French artist Louis Tocqué in 1758. Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures 262 cm in height and 204 cm in width. It depicts the Russian empress wearing court dress and holding a sceptre. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
Portrait of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, painted by Louis Tocqué in 1758, is housed in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. The work is cataloged under the Hermitage's collection with inventory number 4567 and has been displayed in the museum's permanent exhibition of Russian portraiture.
The painting measures 262 cm by 204 cm and was created in France before being acquired by the Hermitage. It has been featured in several exhibitions at the Hermitage, including the 1998 retrospective "Russian Portraits of the 18th Century" and the 2015 exhibition "Imperial Portraits from the Hermitage Collection".
Context
The portrait of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, painted by Louis Tocqué in 1758, exemplifies the court portraiture tradition of 18th-century Russian art. Its formal composition and opulent depiction of regalia reflect the political messaging of Catherine I's reign, situating Tocqué within the broader European portraiture network that influenced Russian aristocratic imagery. Contemporary scholarship highlights its significance as a stylistic bridge between Rococo and Neoclassical aesthetics in imperial Russia.
Overview
Louis Tocqué’s 1758 oil painting presents Empress Elizabeth Petrovna of Russia in regal attire. The portrait, now part of the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings, captures the monarch standing in a dim interior, her expression composed and solemn.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Louis Tocqué (French pronunciation:; 19 November 1696 – 10 February 1772) was a French painter. He specialized in portrait painting.
