Antique oil on canvas of Rotari

Oil painting on canvas, 18th century, measures 50 cm x 58 cm.
Attributed to the painter Pietro Antonio Rotari (Verona, 30 September 1707 - Saint Petersburg, 31 August 1762) was an Italian painter.
Following the death of his father, he began to travel to the capitals of Europe where he obtained important commissions: Vienna, Dresden. Here, while working at the Saxon court, he was called to the St Petersburg court by Empress Elisabeth, who showered him with honours. He thus became the painter of the Russian court; he initially produced works with mythological themes and portraits of the empire's greats, but later became famous for small female portraits, which became a real fashion. The range of colours on his palette became essential: he used various shades of grey, soft browns, olive greens, pinks and blacks, and white for highlights, pearls and lace. After Elisabeth's death, he remained in vogue under her successor, Tsar Peter III, who was later eliminated by his wife, the future Catherine II.