The big curls on Alexandra Feodorovna's head in this 1830 Brullov portrait were called an Apollo knot. By darkening and sharpening the image (not shown), it looks like her dress has a pleated bodice that goes straight across to the sleeves, making it look strapless. See the next image to find out how it was done.
Keywords: 1830, Brullov - Alexander, Tsaritsa Alexandra Feodrovna (1798-1860), Hohenzollern family, Romanov family, Tsaritsa, Russian, knotted coiffure, quarter length puffed sleeves, gauzy sleeves, cuffs, necklace, earrings, shoes