ANGELICA KAUFFMANN, R.A. (CHUR, GRAUBÜNDEN 1741-1807 ROME)

These elegant, small-scale paintings are likely to date from Kauffmann's second period in Italy, between 1781 and 1807, as indicated by the language of the inscriptions on the reverse, and the accomplished nature of their execution. Allegorical in the manner of Reynolds' works, they combine Kauffmann's skills as a portrait artist and history painter. Given her penchant for idealising and allegorical self-presentations, it is possible to see in the brown-haired woman a reference to the artist herself; it is certainly likely that Kauffmann’s audience would have understood the figure as alluding to her artistic creativity. It has, however, also been suggested that the woman with pen in hand might be intended as an allegory of poetry. A variant on the present pair was sold in these rooms, 27 April 2007, lot 41 (£96,000).