Portrait of E. N. Khruschova and Princess E. N. Khovanskaya - Dmitry Levitzky

A 1773 portrait by Dmitry Levitzky depicting two students of the Smolny Institute performing a dance in theatrical costume.

This portrait by Dmitry Levitzky depicts two pupils of the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens, E. N. Khruschova and Princess E. N. Khovanskaya. Painted in 1773, the work belongs to a series of portraits commissioned by Catherine the Great to document the students of this educational establishment. The subjects are shown performing a dance, with Khruschova dressed in the masculine attire required for such theatrical roles, while Khovanskaya wears a feminine gown.

Levitzky captures the youthful grace of the pair through their expressive gestures and the theatricality of their poses. The composition focuses on the interaction between the two figures, as Khruschova gently adjusts the collar of Khovanskaya. The artist demonstrates his technical skill in the rendering of textures, particularly the contrast between the heavy, structured fabric of the coat and the delicate, translucent lace of the skirt. The background is a simplified, dark woodland setting, which serves to push the figures forward and maintain the focus on their costumes and expressions.

Levitzky was a master of the Russian portrait tradition during the eighteenth century. His ability to combine formal academic structure with a sense of natural movement made him a sought-after painter for the imperial court. This work is part of the collection at the State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg. It remains a primary example of the pedagogical and artistic ambitions of the Russian Enlightenment, where the arts were integrated into the training of the nobility. The painting avoids the rigid formality often associated with court portraiture, opting instead for a narrative quality that suggests a specific moment in a performance or rehearsal.