Internationally known painter and portraitist, Swiss Angelica Kauffmann conquered 18th century Europe thanks to her paintings inspired by Greek mythology. In London, the Royal Academy of Arts, of which she was one of the founding members, is offering a retrospective of her works and her artistic career.
Born in 1741 in Chur in Graubünden, Angelica Kauffmann (also known as Angelica Kauffman in English) received from his childhood an education in painting from his father, the Austrian painter Joseph Johann Kauffmann. In 1752, his family moved to Como in Italy, where Kauffmann painted for the Count of Salis, who had Swiss origins. At the edge of the lake, the young girl developed her talents as a portrait painter.
Throughout her travels with her father, she built a reputation among high society, actors and actresses as well as aristocrats, who loved her charismatic portraits inspired by Greek mythology. Angelica Kauffmann’s favorite subjects are women, whom she paints as heroines. She makes it her specialty.
In 1766, at the invitation of Lady Wentworth, wife of the Prime Minister of Great Britain Charles Watson-Wentworth, Angelica Kauffmann and her father went to London. Two years later, she founded the Royal Academy of Arts alongside many other artists such as the painter Joshua Reynolds, who then chaired it, and the architect James Wyatt. Today, this same academy pays tribute to her with an exhibition soberly entitled “Angelica Kauffman”, on view until June 30.
From Graubünden to England
Among the flagship works of the exhibition, a self-portrait in which the artist depicts himself hesitating between the arts of painting and music. “In this fascinating self-portrait, Angelica Kauffmann puts herself in the role of a classic hero, Hercules. By mixing the portrait with this scene, she shows the full range of her artistic talent, explains in the 7:30 p.m. of April 6 Rebecca Bray, curator of the exhibition. Being born in Switzerland placed her in this very central situation which allowed her to travel and easily meet people all over Europe.”
Even today, the Swiss painter continues to fascinate artists, such as the London painter and sculptor Paul Wuensche. “I learned from her to stay true to myself and not have a predefined idea of what I should do. Portrait painting today is more philosophical. When I started, I wanted “A portrait is not just an image. I wanted to create the impression that this person was with you in the room.”
TV topic: Clément Bürge
Web adaptation: Myriam Semaani
“Angelica Kauffman”, on view until June 30, 2024 at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
