Portrait of a Woman, Said to Be Princess Apraxine

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the European Paintings department of the Metropolitan of Art, this exquisite miniature, *Portrait of a Woman, to Be Princess Aprax*, captures the elegance of an unidentified sitter—possibly a member of Russian nobility—through the skilled hand of a Continental painter. Measuring just 2¼ x 1¾ inches in an intimate oval format, its diminutive scale belies the remarkable detail achieved on such a delicate surface, making it a perfect example of the portable art form cherished by Europe's elite. Ivory miniatures like this one flourished across the Continent from the 16th to 19th centur...