Description of the picture:
Portrait of Tsarevna Anna Petrovna and Elizabeth Petrovna – Louis Caravac. 1717. Oil on canvas. 76×97
Louis Caravac (1684-1754) – French artist, worked at the court at the invitation of Peter I and taught the masters of the secrets of painting craft.
Pair portrait of the young daughters of Peter I and Catherine I, Anne and Elizabeth, Caravac created almost immediately after his arrival in Russia in 1716. In France, at that time, the fragile, graceful and somewhat mannered Rococo style was adding up, which could not but be reflected in the artist’s work. He gave the portrait a playful character. The era of masquerade balls has developed its own clothing language, which has an allegorical meaning. Often, princesses and princes were portrayed in the images of the ancient Roman gods – Diana or Apollo.
Karavak dressed the young princesses in Flora’s costumes, this is emphasized by the basket of flowers on Anna’s lap, and the flower above her head, which Elizabeth holds in her хэнд. The composition is full of movement, spontaneity and liveliness – the dynamic gestures of both princesses, fluttering ribbons and capes of dresses give the impression of a cheerful game of girls."
