Angelica Kauffman, R.A. (Chur, Graubünden 1741-1807 Rome)

This and the following three lots are the property of Dr. René Felber and his late wife, Friederike, who are known worldwide as leading collectors of Swiss porcelain and silver. Having purchased their first work of art in 1955, they continued building up their collection for fifty years. Dr. and Mrs Felber were guiding lights of the 'Ceramic Friends of Switzerland', a scholarly porcelain society, where Dr. Felber held the presidency for over 15 years. Friederike, for her part, was a leading contributor and editor of the journal published by the 'Ceramic Friends'. The couple went on to author many publications devoted to their two interests - porcelain and hunting. Through their passion for eighteenth-century European porcelain the Felbers were drawn to the work of Angelica Kauffmann whose Neoclassical motifs and drawings were used by contemporary German and Swiss porcelain manufactories.
This painting is one of a series of compositions in circular format based on Pietro Metastasio's poem Le Grazie Vendicate about the struggle between the Graces and Cupid. This composition was engraved by William Wynne Ryland in 1777, entitled Etiam Amor Criminibus Plectitur, and also reproduced on porcelain (Derby buscuit porcelain, Victoria and Albert Musuem) and decorated furniture.
We are grateful to Wendy Wassyng Roworth for her help in cataloguing this lot.