The artwork, titled “Portrait of Empress Maria Alexandrovna,” was created by the artist Franz Xaver Winterhalter in 1857. This exquisite piece, rendered in oil on canvas, belongs to the Neo-Rococo art movement and measures 120 x 95 cm. It is a portrait genre painting currently housed in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
The artwork depicts Empress Maria Alexandrovna adorned in an elegant, elaborate gown featuring delicate lace and a profusion of pearls. Her composed expression and posture convey regality and grace. The background is soft and muted, focusing attention on the empress’s splendid attire and serene facial features. Winterhalter’s masterful technique is evident in the meticulous details of the fabric and the rich textures that imbue the portrait with a sense of depth and realism. This refined composition exemplifies the Neo-Rococo style’s emphasis on elegance and subtle grandeur.
