The painting is a spectacular pictorial spectacle. It combines images of specific historical figures and the artist’s free imagination, conventionality of color, decorative composition and documentary-accurate details. The canvas was intended to glorify the victories of russian arms in the first russo-turkish war (1768–1774). Catherine ii, in the form of the goddess minerva, sits in a triumphal chariot, surrounded by allegorical images of grateful peoples inhabiting the southern borders of the russian empire. Winged creatures soaring in the sky trumpet her glory and crown her with a laurel wreath. Catherine is accompanied by warriors – her closest associates, the first knights of the order of st. George: p. A. Rumyantsev, a. G. Orlov, p. I. Panin, v. M. Dolgoruky, n. V. Repnin and f. G. Orlov. The procession is headed by g. G. Orlov, the empress's favourite. He is depicted in front of catherine's chariot with a diamond portrait of the empress on his chest. Object Type: painting. Date: 1772. Dimensions: height: 205 cm (80.7 in); width: 347 cm (11.3 ft). Medium: oil on canvas. Collection: Tretyakov Gallery. Allegory of Catherine II's Victory over the Turks (Torelli)
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