Shtenglin, Ivan. Portrait of Grand Duchess Catherine Alexeyevna Hermitage ~ part 13

The work presents a formal portrait of a young woman, rendered in monochrome with evident attention to detail and texture. Here we see her positioned three-quarter length, facing slightly towards the viewers left. Her posture is upright and dignified, indicative of her elevated social status. She holds a fan in her right hand, which she casually lowers, contributing to an impression of relaxed elegance rather than rigid formality.
The woman’s attire is elaborate and characteristic of aristocratic fashion. A voluminous gown, likely constructed with layers of fabric to create its substantial form, drapes around her figure. The sleeves are fitted at the shoulder and widen dramatically towards the wrist, a style prevalent in the early eighteenth century. A decorative sash or ribbon crosses her body, drawing attention to the central medallion pinned to her bodice. This emblem, likely bearing heraldic significance, reinforces her identity as someone of noble lineage. Her hair is styled in an elaborate updo, adorned with curls and possibly jewels, further emphasizing her wealth and status.
The background consists of a shadowed architectural setting, suggesting a grand interior space. The columns and arches are rendered with considerable depth, creating a sense of spatial recession. This backdrop serves to isolate the subject and focus attention on her personage.
Subtleties in the rendering suggest an intention beyond mere representation. The careful modeling of light and shadow across her face highlights her features – particularly her eyes – conveying intelligence and composure. The slight turn of her head, combined with the relaxed hold of the fan, introduces a degree of personal character that transcends the formality of the portraiture genre.
Beneath the image, inscriptions in Cyrillic script alongside Latin text identify the subject’s name and title. This textual element serves as an explicit marker of identity and reinforces the paintings purpose: to document and celebrate her position within a specific social hierarchy. The overall effect is one of restrained grandeur, designed to project an image of authority, refinement, and lineage.