Catherine the Great and the Culture of Celebrity in the Eighteenth Century

Catherine the Great's celebrity avant la lettre was shaped by gender, power, and scandal, and her instant popularity in regions of Europe far from her own domains helped shape modern celebrity culture. This book presents long-neglected material evidence of the tsarinas fantasy-inducing fame, examines the 1762 coup as the indispensable story that first constructed her distant public image, and explains how the themes of enlightenment, luxury consumption, clashing gender roles, and exotic Russia continued to attract non-elite fans and anti-fans during the middle decades of her reign.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 19 May 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This groundbreaking study delves into the enigmatic celebrity of Catherine the Great before the advent of the letter "A," shedding light on the intricate interplay of gender, power, and scandal that propelled her to unparalleled success. In 1762, when Catherine II audaciously overthrew her husband to ascend to the Russian Empire's throne, her immediate and widespread popularity in regions far beyond her own domains aligned with the emerging discourse of modern celebrity. This remarkable phenomenon swiftly shaped the course of celebrity culture in Europe.

Catherine the Great and Celebrity Culture in Eighteenth-Century Europe, authored by Ruth P. Dawson, unveils a captivating narrative that spans 35 years. During this period, Catherine became an integral part of a customary triumvirate of agents responsible for crafting her celebrity. These agents included an intriguing central figure, a vast media landscape, and an engaged public. Dawson meticulously explores how writers, printmakers, newspaper editors, playwrights, and other media professionals of the 18th century diligently labored to create marketable representations of the empress, catering to a broad audience of non-elite readers, viewers, and listeners. These audiences eagerly indulged in the resulting commodities, captivated by the captivating allure of Catherine's fame.

This book presents a wealth of previously overlooked material evidence that sheds light on Catherine's fantasy-inducing fame. It examines the 1762 coup as the pivotal event that established her distant public image, laying the foundation for her enduring allure. Furthermore, Dawson delves into the enduring themes of enlightenment, luxury consumption, gender roles, and exotic Russia that continued to captivate non-elite fans and detractors throughout Catherine's reign.

In the later years of her rule, the book explores the scrutiny inspired by the French Revolution and the scathing misogynist cartoons that targeted her visual representations. It also examines Catherine's remarkable achievements as ruler, her historical overthrow of her husband, and the gradual revelation of her extensive list of lovers. Dawson reflects on Catherine's tragic demise in 1796, which sparked a final surge of adoration, loathing, and ambivalence as new accounts of her life, both real and fictional, emerged. These accounts sought to unravel the enigmatic persona of the empress, leaving a lasting impact on popular culture and historical discourse.

In conclusion, Catherine the Great's celebrity before the letter "A" stands as a testament to the power of gender, power, and scandal in shaping the course of history. Through meticulous research and analysis, Dawson's book offers a fresh perspective on Catherine's life, shedding light on the intricate interplay of celebrity, media, and public perception. This captivating narrative provides valuable insights into the 18th-century European celebrity culture and its enduring legacy.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350244627