Angelica Kauffman at the Royal Academy: 'Miss Angel' comes to London - Annette Wickham

A Friends of Kenwood Sunday lecture given by Annette Wickham. The Swiss artist Angelica Kauffman achieved international fame as one of the most celebrated painters of the 18th century. Described by a contemporary as ‘perhaps the most cultivated woman in Europe’, Kauffman not only painted some of the most influential figures of her day – from queens and countesses to actors and socialites – she also reshaped the genre of history painting by introducing a cast of multifaceted female protagonists drawn from classical history, literature and mythology. The lecture traces Kauffman’s trajectory from child prodigy to one of Europe’s most sought-after artists. Her pivotal period in London, including her role as a founding member of the Royal Academy in 1768, helped her rise to fame. It introduces the exhibition 'Angelica Kauffman' which opened at the Royal Academy of Arts on 1st March 2024, and includes major loans from Kenwood. Annette Wickham is Curator of Works on Paper for the Royal Academy Collection, and prior to that she was an Assistant Curator at the V&A. She is co-curator of the Angelica Kauffman exhibition. She has published extensively on aspects of the Royal Academy and its collection. Her research interests include the history of art education and women artists in Britain. Introduction music: Alceste, Wq 37, Italian version, by Christoph Willibald Gluck, 1767. Produced by Friends of Kenwood www.friendsofkenwood.org.uk ‪@friendsofkenwood7574‬