Child Prodigies: Angelica Kauffman

I stumbled across Angelica Kauffman whilst researching Louise Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun. Kauffman just happened to have also done a portrait of Prince Henry Lubomirski (as Eros).

 She was born in 1741 in Switzerland and showed an early brilliance. She learned several languages (Italian, German, French and English), read constantly, was a talented musician and a gifted artist. Her first commission was for the Bishop of Como, Monsignor Nevroni, at the age of 11. At this time some of her supporters argued that she was the better musician and encouraged her to take up a career in music (which she later depicted in a painting). Obviously she chose painting – and here is a selection.

The Artist Hesitating Between the Arts of Music and Painting (1794)

Self-portrait (aged around 30)