Catherine II of Russia makes a grand entrance before her courtiers in a colorful lithograph by Alexandre Nikolayevich Benois from 1909.

How Catherine really became 'The Great'

Once the upstart foreigner stole Russia’s throne, there was no stopping her enlightened reforms, her empire's expansion, and her pursuit of love and legacy.

Holding court

Catherine II of Russia makes a grand entrance before her courtiers in a colorful lithograph by Alexandre Nikolayevich Benois from 1909.
Album/Fine Art Images
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