Original Primitive Folk Art Painting This piece is one of my favorites. She is painted on canvas and framed beautifully with a frame I made out of old antique molding (I believe it was crown molding). The picture doesn't really do her justice. She is fun and serious all at the same time. Her original name was anglicized Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhallt -Zebst. She ruled in the late 1700's from 1762-1796 - a reign of 34 years. Crowned as Empress on July 17, 1762 she was a powerful ruler. As an author of memoirs, historical works and plays she gave considerable encouragement to literature. She offered to pubish Diderot's Encylopedia when France banned it. Catherine the Great restricted cruel punishment of the serfs but peasant revolts caused the need to strengthen oppression. The charter of 1785 increased the power of the nobles over the serfs. She greatly enlarged Russian territory and increased its power. She also imported architects, musicians and intellectuals from Western Europe to help modernized Russia.