Studio of Angelica Kauffman RA (Swiss, 1740-1807)

Studio of Angelica Kauffman RA (Swiss, 1740-1807) Studio of Angelica Kauffman RA (Swiss, 1740-1807) Vanity; Modesty; Memory; Meditation painted c.1789 oil on copper 19 x 15cm and similar, oval (4) In London, Kauffman began to focus on developing a new subgenre of single-figure history or allegory in small-formats. The present subjects were executed for the printer Jane Matthew in London, c.1789, while Kauffman was in Rome, and from which stipple engravings were reproduced. It is likely that this lot was a subsequent version produced from Kauffman's studio. Painted as two pairs, the single figures are symbols of abstract concepts and are characterised only by a few attributes: the virtue of 'Modesty' is the counterpart to the vice of 'Vanity'; the muse of 'Memory' is counterpart to the muse of 'Meditation'. Provenance: Bonham's, London, 27 October 2004, lot 59. Literature: Bettina Baumgärtel, exhibition catalogue 'Anmut und Aufklärung, Eine Sammlung von Druckgraphik nach Werken von Angelika Kauffman', Stendal, Winckelmann Museum, 4 September 2016 - 20 November 2016, p.58, cat. I.42 (stipple engraving). Our thanks to Dr. Bettina Baumgärtel, head of the Angelika Kauffman Research Project, for her help in the preparation of this catalogue entry. Condition Report: overall: 40 x 35cm Modesty - size is 18 x 14cm. some surface dirt and unevenness to the copper. there is a very tiny spot of missing paint to the centre. Under UV light, there are several tiny spots of retouching, however, generally in good order. Vanity - size is 18 x 13cm Some surface dirt and craquelure, Under UV light, there is a small spot of retouching to the belt, with a little strengthening around the edge of the irght arm and dress, and the top of the head. Meditation (seated figure in blue) - size 19 x 15cm. some surface dirt. There are 3 small spots of retouching aparent under UV light, but generally it is in good order. Memory (figure with book and pen) - size is 19 x 15cm. Surface dirt. Under UV light, there is a line of retouching to the upper left in the background possibly relating to a repaired scratch. There are some more isolated spots elsewhere. In general, the four paintings are well presented and ready to hang in gild frames and mounts.