A Dancing Young Woman as Terpsichore

c. 1780

Angelica Kauffmann

(Swiss, 1741–1807)

Culture

England

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

Overall: 91.5 x 70.8 cm (36 x 27 7/8 in.)

Credit Line

Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund 2025.3

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

In 1768, Kauffmann was a founder member of the Royal Academy of Arts, which didn’t admit another woman as a full academician until 1936.

Description

This dancing figure was inspired by recently excavated wall paintings from the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum, during a period when neoclassical style was fashionable. Angelica Kauffmann was among the most important painters of the 1800s, achieving success for portraits and history subjects—a category dominated by men. Highly educated, Kauffmann was also an accomplished musician who had struggled to choose between a career in fine art or music.