Angelica Kauffman

Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807) was a Swiss neoclassical painter who spent much of her career in England. She was one of the founding members of the Royal Academy of Arts in London in 1768 and was one of only two female founding members. Kauffman was known for her history paintings, portraits, and decorative art. Her work often featured classical and allegorical subjects, and she was influenced by the work of Anton Raphael Mengs and Johann Joachim Winckelmann. 

Kauffman was born in Switzerland and received her early art education from her father, Johann Joseph Kauffman, who was also a painter. She later studied in Italy before moving to England in 1766. Her work was well-received in England, and she gained a number of important patrons, including Queen Charlotte. Some of her notable works include Venus Induces Helen to Fall in Love with Paris, Zeuxis Selecting Models for his Painting of Helen of Troy, and Portrait of David Garrick. 

Kauffman's style was characterized by its elegance and grace, and she was known for her ability to capture the likeness and personality of her subjects in her portraits. She was also a skilled colorist and was praised for her use of light and shade. Kauffman's work was influential in the development of neoclassical art, and she was one of the most successful female artists of her time. She returned to Italy in 1781 and continued to work and exhibit her art until her death in 1807.