Mixed media on paper, ca. late 18th century, unsigned by a follower of Angelica Kauffmann. Sheet 4.75 x 6 inches; trimmed and mounted within frame to an overall size of 11 x 13 inches. In fine condition.

While also being in the vein of the Classical subject work of Angelica Kauffmannwork, the present drawing is also highly similar in line to some of the “primo pensiero” or “first thought” compositions by the important artist. The pose is comparable to her celebrated Nymph painting and indeed the particular stylistic features of the face here - the rendering of the nose in particular  - are in many respects identical to those found in such drawings as her Death of Sylvia’s Stag (The Peck Collection, 2023.38) Study for Morning Amusement (Sotheby's, 31 mar 1999), Woman Reading, Leaning on a Lyre (Freeman Fine Arts, 14 jun 2016). 

Angelica Kauffmann was born in Switzerland and was seen as a child prodigy. She soon specialised in history and portraits paintings while in Italy (especially Florence, Rome and Naples, Bologna, Parma and Venice) she was influenced by the nascent Neo-classical style. She became a member of the Roman Accademia di San Luca at the age of 23. She arrived in London in June 1766 and remained there for 15 years before moving back to Italy with her second husband the painter Antonio Zucchi (1726-1796). In London, she was a founder-member of the Royal Academy. All her life, she enjoyed international patronage such as the family of George III in Britain, Grand Duke Paul and Price Nikolay Yusupov in Russia, Queen Caroline of Naples and Emperor Joseph II of Austria among others. She died in Rome where her funeral was arranged by the Neo-classical sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822).