"Lady wearing the Saint Catherine the Great Martyr order"

Oil on canvas depicting a lady in a blue dress wearing the Saint Catherine the Great Martyr order, Russian school, 18th century. The Saint Catherine the Great Martyr order was created by Peter the Great in November 1714 was awarded only to women. This lady wears the lesser cross of the order with the scarlet ribbon bearing "For Love and Fatherland". Such award was reserved to ladies of the highest nobility of Russia. The dress and hair style are obviously from the 18th century.