The portrait of Elizaveta Petrovna was created by an unknown artist around the 1740-1760s. Researchers believe that he copied this picture from another portrait of the Empress by Jacopo Amigoni. The latter did not either have the opportunity to paint Elizaveta Petrovna from life — he used the famous image created by Louis Caravacque.
In those days, many portraitists depicted monarchs, copying other artists’ paintings. Members of the imperial family did not often sit for painters, but they would issue a decree approving the image that could be considered the reference one. The portrait by Louis Caravacque he painted in the early 1740s, became such approved type of image. He created it in the early 1740s, and Elizabeth issued a decree, in 1747 to the effect that the portrait should be considered the reference one.
In those days, many portraitists depicted monarchs, copying other artists’ paintings. Members of the imperial family did not often sit for painters, but they would issue a decree approving the image that could be considered the reference one. The portrait by Louis Caravacque he painted in the early 1740s, became such approved type of image. He created it in the early 1740s, and Elizabeth issued a decree, in 1747 to the effect that the portrait should be considered the reference one.
