Beauty Directed by Prudence Rejects wit Scorn the Solicitations of Folly
Angelica Kauffmann·1780
Historical Context
This 1780 painting of Beauty Directed by Prudence Rejecting the Solicitations of Folly is an allegorical composition typical of Kauffmann's moralizing subjects. The allegory reflects 18th-century preoccupation with female virtue and the choices between wisdom and temptation. Kauffmann's refined oil handling favored cool, clear colors and gracefully elongated figures that drew on classical sculpture and Raphael's serene compositions, executed with a smooth, controlled touch that avoided all...
Technical Analysis
The allegorical scene demonstrates Kauffmann's graceful treatment of personified virtues, with elegant figures and harmonious color that make the moral message visually appealing.
See It In Person
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