Sappho Inspired by Love
Angelica Kauffmann·1775
Historical Context
Kauffman painted Sappho inspired by Love around 1775. The subject of the female artist receiving divine inspiration was personally meaningful to Kauffman as one of the few women practicing history painting. Sappho served as a classical prototype for the creative woman. 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
Kauffman renders the poetess with soft modeling and graceful pose characteristic of her Neoclassical style. The delicate color harmonies show the influence of Correggio and the antique.
See It In Person
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