An investigation into the depiction of Catherine the Great through contemporary portraits from the Russian court, and how she used costume to project an idealised representation of herself.

This work will explore Catherine the Great as a ruler and the importance of her wardrobe and the choices she made in a selection of her portraits, these decisions conscious or otherwise affected her representation to the world. In order to achieve this understanding of why Catherine chose to make political statements in her portraiture, I had to look at a selection of her portraits in detail. I had to investigate and study my chosen four paintings in great detail. Looking at symbolism within the paintings and the statements that each painting had to deliver given the political landscape in Russia and Europe at the time commissioned. Having done this I chose a painting my Dimitry Levitski from 1782. I wanted to recreate this costume, as it would present me with a wide array of challenges and positive learning outcomes. I believe that through the discovery of these new techniques and the implementation of my already honed skills, I have been able to deliver an authentic recreation of the costume Catherine chose in order to make a political statement in 1782.Ba_CDCunpub1471_ethesesunpu