Crown princess Elizabeth, the future empress 1741

Ivan Nikitin painted this portrait of Crown Princess Elizabeth, the future empress, sometime in the first half of the 18th century. The oval frame immediately recalls the tradition of Renaissance portraiture, evoking a sense of classical formality. However, the subject’s direct gaze departs from these historical precedents. She looks out at us, engaging the viewer. This mode of direct address reminds us of the Fayum mummy portraits of Roman Egypt, where the eyes of the deceased were painted with striking realism, believed to allow the dead to see and interact with the living. Here, a similar psychological connection is sought. The artist captures not just a likeness, but an emotional and psychological presence. Such a potent image speaks to our collective memory, tapping into deep-seated desires for connection and understanding, proving how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.