Selbstbildnis am Scheideweg zwischen Musik und Malerei

This 1792 self-portrait at the crossroads between music and painting depicts Kauffmann's famous autobiographical allegory of her choice between two artistic vocations. A gifted musician as well as painter, Kauffmann chose painting at her father's encouragement, and this allegorical self-portrait became one of her most celebrated compositions. Characteristic of the artist's mature approach, the work displays graceful, decorative Neoclassicism combining classical subject matter with a lyrical sweetness, soft color, elegant figure types, pendant portraits and mythological scenes.

The allegorical self-portrait demonstrates Kauffmann's ability to combine personal narrative with Neoclassical allegory, using the personifications of Music and Painting to frame her artistic autobiography.