Angelica Kauffmann

Angelica Kauffmann (1741-1807), Swiss painter, whose graceful, sentimental style was extremely popular in the late 18th century. Essentially a rococo painter, she imbibed certain neoclassical motifs on trips to Italy from 1762 to 1763, concentrating on historical and mythological scenes. Kauffmann produced more than 500 paintings. She lived in London from 1766 to 1781 and in Rome after 1781, painting elegant, technically brilliant works such as Cupid's Wand (1793, Attingham Park, near Shrewsbury, England). In London, where she was a founding member of the Royal Academy, she also did much decorative work on ceilings, walls, and furniture for the British architect and designer Robert Adam.