Portrait of Alexander Lanskoy, Aide-de-camp to the Empress 1782

Dmitry Levitzky painted this portrait of Alexander Lanskoy, aide-de-camp to Empress Catherine II, a painting which offers a glimpse into the world of the Russian Imperial court. Lanskoy's gaze is confident, embodying the aristocratic ideals of the era. Yet, it is worth remembering the complex societal structures that underpinned such displays of power. As an aide-de-camp, Lanskoy was deeply enmeshed in the political and social life of the court, a world of privilege, patronage, and, let’s not forget, strict hierarchies. The bust of Catherine II in the background, an artistic detail, symbolizes the Empress's pervasive influence and the ever-present gaze of power. Levitsky's work both perpetuates and subtly questions the established order. While it presents Lanskoy as a figure of authority, it also invites reflection on the nature of power and the individuals who wield it. How are we implicated in that gaze today?