Angelica Kauffman

Angelica Kauffman (aka Kauffmann), RA (1741 – 1807)

Was a Swiss-born Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in both London and Rome and in 1768, was one of the two female founder members of the Royal Academy in London.

A child prodigy and speaking Italian, German, French and English, she first was feted as an artist in Italy between 1754 and 1764 and became popular portraitist with the British visiting Rome. Lady Wentworth, the wife of the British ambassador persuaded Angelica to accompany her to London. Due to Lady Wentworth’s rank, she was well received everywhere and became a firm friend of Sir Joshua Reynolds.

Angelica was keen to identify herself primarily as a ‘history painter’ – considered the most elite and lucrative form of art in the 18th century. History painting sought to represent human action based on themes from scripture, mythology, history and literature and considered as the most elevated category of art. It was very unusual for women painters to aspire to this level, not least because of the level of education needed in biblical and classical literature as well as art theory and a facility to be able to draw the male nude. Women were denied such training and particularly access to draw from nude models. However, she managed to overcome all the obstacles and became a successful history painter who was admired by her colleagues and who was in constant demand by patrons.

Ultimately she became disappointed that the British prefered portraiture to history painting and she left London for Rome in 1781 where she befriended Goethe amongst others. She continued to contribute to exhibitions at the Royal Academy and enjoyed a further 25 years of prestige.

Her work continues to be valued, and can be seen in various places across Europe including her portrait of the Duchess of Brunswick in Hampton Court, a self portrait in the National Portrait Gallery and other works in Paris, Dresden, Munich and the Hermitage in St Petersburg.