Portrait of Princess of Anhalt-zerbst, 18c After Antoine Pesne (1683-1757)

Large fine 18th century portrait of the mother of Catherine the Great of Russia, Johanna-Elizabeth, Electress of Anhalt-Zerbst (1712-1760). Johanna Elisabeth was a princess of the House of Holstein-Gottorp and later the Princess of Anhalt-Zerbst. In 1747 she was widowed and made regent of Anhalt-Zerbst and later permanently resided in Paris.

This royal subject has been depicted in sumptuous attire. The expensive silk dress is abundantly decorated with lace and the overall light touch shows the Roccoco style. The sitter is also adorned with a bow, a huge diamond brooch, and a posy of yellow, blue and red flowers tucked into the bodice. The red sash is prominently displayed as are the two insignias and the rich red ermine trimmed cloak falls down the sitters back and wraps around to the sitter’s front.

The colours are bold and the artist has shown particular technical skill depicting the lace which is beautiful and delicate and painted with a strong impasto touch. This is immediately noticeable when viewed in person and does not quite show in the photos.

A pretty example of European portraiture based on Pesne’s work held in the Tsaritsyno Museum, Russia. Presented in a fine ornate excellent condition wood frame.

The House of Holstein-Gottorp and its cadet lines acceded to several European thrones – Sweden, Norway, Denmark. The Lübeck branch became first dukes and later grand dukes of Oldenburg and the senior branch ruled Russia.

Antoine Pesne (1683-1757) was born in Paris and received his training from his great-uncle Charles de La Fosse (court painter of Louis XIV and Director of the Académie Royale). A scholarship from the Académie enabled him to study in Venice, Naples and Rome. He was appointed court painter by King Frederick I and became famous for his portraits of this Prussian royal family. He was also director of the Berlin Academy of Arts and lived at the court of Crown Prince Frederick. Pesne is one of the fathers of the rococo movement.

Much more info about this item at: www.titanfineart.com

In a market saturated with available paintings, Titan Fine Art offers a specially curated selection. Each piece is meticulously chosen based on technical merit, provenance, and decorative appeal, professionally conserved and researched, ensuring our clients view only the finest examples of British and European art.

With over 20 years of expertise and 1,000+ works placed with collectors and institutions, we are one of the most prolific specialists in 17th and 18th-century portraiture. We combine a scholarly approach with museum-level rigor to replace the uncertainty of the open market with absolute confidence.

Why Buy From Titan Fine Art?

• Expertly Curated Selection

We act as your expert eye, selecting only high-quality works that offer genuine historical and artistic value.

• Museum-Level Research

Each portrait is supported by extensive academic research, often exceeding 40 hours, to establish attribution, sitter identity, and historical context.

• Professional Conservation

All paintings are carefully cleaned and stabilised by professional conservators, and are presented ready to hang.

• Transparent Pricing

No buyer’s premium or hidden fees—unlike auction houses, where additional costs can add 25–35%.

• Export Pricing Advantage

Reduced pricing is available for works exported outside the UK.

• Specialist Global Shipping

We manage the entire process, including custom crating, export documentation, and fully tracked delivery worldwide.

• Buy with Confidence

A 7-day return policy and the option to pay in GBP, USD, or EUR for convenience and transparency.

• Original Period Frames

Many works retain their original carved and gilded frames, which are works of art in their own right and enhance both historical authenticity and decorative impact.

• Personal Advisory Service

We work directly with collectors and interior designers, offering guidance on selection, scale, and placement—including bespoke room mock-ups on request.

Subscribe to our monthly 'new item alert' to be the first to hear about new works