Angelica Kauffmann was one of the most celebrated artists of the 18th century. Educated in Rome, she combined her knowledge of Renaissance painting and classical literature to create remarkable history paintings.
Born in Chur, Switzerland, she was the only child of painter Joseph Johann Kauffmann (1707–1782). As a woman, she was unable to formally enrol at an academy school, so she studied ancient and modern art with her father in Rome. Her talent was soon recognised; at just 23 she was elected to the prestigious Accademia di San Luca in Rome. However, she was not allowed to take part in their meetings or draw from live models.
Kauffmann moved to London in 1766, injecting new ideas into British art. Making her income primarily as a portrait artist, she established a close friendship with Sir Joshua Reynolds. Within months of her arrival, she received patronage from the royal family. In 1768 when the Royal Academy of Arts was established, Kauffmann was one of only two women artists to be a founding member.
Portraits allowed her a steady income, but Kauffmann defined herself as a history painter - seen as the most noble in the established hierarchy of genres. Every year, she exhibited history paintings at the Royal Academy’s influential annual exhibition.
Kauffmann left London for Rome in 1782, where she established a studio and a salon. This became an important stop for Grand Tourists from Britain, France, Scandinavia, Poland and Russia, who visited and commissioned works. Kauffmann continued to exhibit at the Royal Academy exhibitions and to receive commissions from British patrons. She died in 1807 in Rome.
