The empress, who was a woman of moderate height and yet of a majestic appearance, thoroughly understood the art of making herself loved. She was not beautiful, but yet she was sure of pleasing by her geniality and her wit, and also by that exquisite tact which made one forget the awfulness of the sovereign in the gentleness of the woman. (Casanova’s memoirs)
The view of Casanova who in 1765 had the privilege of meeting this formidable ruler. A typically informative and interesting Melvyn Bragg ‘In Our Time’ podcast on the empress here.
‘Casanova in Paris: The Shadows of the King’ is freely available here.
Long form articles on Casanova’s life and times are freely available here.
#catherinethegreat #europe #eighteenthcentury #casanova
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