ANGELIKA KAUFMAN

(1741-1807)

German painter and graphic artist. The representative of classicism. Portraits (Goethe, 1787), sentimental, sensitive, mythological, historical, religious and genre scenes ("embroidery").

When a woman is blessed with so much talent and beauty, as our heroine, she is rarely possible to achieve something worthwhile. However, the name of Angelica Kauffman speaks true connoisseurs of art, for in due time, it was a very famous artist, commission a portrait which was considered prestigious.

A girl born into a family of German artist John Joseph Kaufman in a rundown inn in a small French town of Tours, since my father was inclined to change places. Eleven months Angelica moved to Italy where, finally, the family settled permanently.

Richly endowed with nature girl appeared very early. With six years of Angelica started to draw, and it was hard to resist in order not to pick up a crayon or a paintbrush, spending whole days in his father's workshop. John Joseph Kaufman did not differ special talents of the painter and disadvantaged nature tends to make up work, from his childhood, he taught and daughter to the daily exhausting work.

Angelica was very attached to her father, because he changed her and girlfriends, and children's entertainment, and teachers. Clock girl practicing in painting, but sometimes it's a tiny, beautiful creature with a folder of pictures came on the rich houses to sell their work and help the family. It was hard to refuse such a charming child, and one day even the local bishop has agreed to pose for Angelica.

Old Kaufman perfectly aware that the talent will allow her daughter to achieve much more than we could get this to himself, and therefore spared neither the funds nor the energy for grinding talent Angelica. First, they undertook a long journey through Italy. According to Father, this blessed country could become a source of inspiration for girls as for the great Renaissance masters. Secondly, the old man still relied on the exhausting job and not allowed any Angelique hours of entertainment. The girl was obedient daughter, and only once its nature rebelled. Of course, the reader can guess, if you think that it was love. Wandering around the world, but leading a secluded life of the ban's father, Angelica still managed to get acquainted with a young musician.

Photo — «Angelika Kaufman»

The girl was endowed by nature an amazing voice. The guy begged Angelique quit painting, the father-tyrant, and dedicate himself to singing, and get away with it. For a girl came days agonizing doubt. For the first time she could not consult with his father for the first time in its measured life included mischief and unwillingness to work. To solve this very vital issue Angelica could not and went to the confessor. Of course, he advised her to stay with my father, forget about the sinful singing career and choose a more noble path of the painter. From the days of love in the work of the artist left the picture, which depicts Orpheus trying to lead Eurydice out of Hell. Features permanently leave loved it attaches to its scenic character. There is another painting: Angelica between the two muses - music and painting, both her name, but it bends to the second.

Thus, the choice of place and more, it seemed, nothing prevented the girl's talent. Indeed, she felt acutely influences the gallant century, with its desire to play, imitation, with its languid twilight, and cozy seating area, with its puppet cowherd and gold boudoir. Soon the fame of the young artist, flew to Milan's Palace, where she was invited. The yard was captivated by the skill of Angelica, who wish take their turn to order her portrait. The girl, intoxicated by the worship and glory to replicate the success of the surface and fashionable style while brilliant French court, working with pastels. Shepherd's dress - a squeak of the season, satin shoes, a hat with ribbons on the powdered wig and doll, surrounded by a mass of fans - that's a portrait of Angelica of the time.

Mother's death caused the family again to leave their homes and go, this time in his native Braganza. However, here the father and daughter have lived long. Who needs were drawn shepherdess, if this round is complete. Angelica barely had time to finish the frescoes for the parish church, the father decided to go to the court of Count Monfort, where the girls had a job. From merry court Monfort, she went to Rome. Here she met with John-Joachim Winckelmann, a German art historian who has had an enormous influence on contemporary minds. Angelica is also believed his teachings, finally, the girl got the first part of teachers. Winckelmann praised solely for the gifted artist: "My portrait for a friend made an exceptional man, a German artist.

Photo — «Angelika Kaufman»

She is very strong in portraits . . . Her name - Angelica Kauffmann. " In Rome, she met with many Londoners, and, fascinated by their tales of his native city, has decided to try his luck in Albion.

July 22, 1766 Angelica arrived in London, where she was waiting for a real success. Queen of just two days as I am. Only it will be better, I brought her "- she wrote to her father only a month after his arrival. The following summer the old man Kaufman moved to her daughter. Nearly twenty years had lived in London, Angelica. Here she has written portraits of the Queen of England, the Danish King Christian. From customers was not hanging up. Enveloped in a haze of mystery face on her paintings are full of beauty, if not, then at least charm. Salon painter, Angelica Kauffmann, was a success and as a woman, men subduing beautiful figure, a fresh complexion and naive, lively eyes.

Many contemporaries noted artist and a magical view of its originality. At the Angelika even drew the attention of the president of the British Academy of Arts - Reynolds. He offered the girl to share his fate, wealth and fame. But Angelica was frightened genius Reynolds, she knew that such a talent, a wife should belong entirely, but it has not extinguished the desire to self-affirmation.

The groom, however, does not decrease, and one day workshop Kaufman visited philanthropist who purchased paintings at incredibly high prices, Count Horn. Even accustomed to the delight of spectators Angelica could not help a contented smile, listening to the accolades of the graph of his work. Soon Horne made her an offer. It seemed that personal happiness has finally smiled on the famous artist - a brilliant young man, adopted in most respectable houses in London, a rich, charming secular lion. Only the old Kaufman immediately took a dislike to groom, but he had no right to get her daughter a second time across the road, therefore, gritting his teeth, he tried to remain silent.

Soon graph secretly went to Angelica and in despair told her that he was suspected of a serious political crime, which of course he is not guilty, and he faces a shameful death. Only the bride can save the graph, immediately and marry him, because only the name of Angelica Kauffmann make the royal family, tender loving artist, carefully investigate the case of her husband.

Photo — «Angelika Kaufman»

Naive girl, not versed in the intrigues, are not faced with meanness, loved the Count and believed him at once.

Family life, however, has not worked. Graf required to immediately leave the city, he often was not home, and generally behaved rather strangely. Angelica replied to questions tantrums and rudeness. All over the fact that the woman was forced to move back to her father. Soon Angelica learned the truth - her husband was an adventurer, and lived under different aliases. His last name he took after a while he served in the present Count Horn in Germany. In parting husband lured Angelica three hundred pounds. February 10, 1768 held their divorce. Having experienced personal tragedy, the artist in on itself and stopped calling for social events, only a small circle of intellectuals interested in its continued as before. Klopstock wrote one of his friends: "For some time now I'm almost in love with a German artist in London - Angelica Kauffmann. "

Our heroine is increasingly thought of returning to Italy. The father was quite old and often said he wanted to die on earth, once nurtured him. Only one thing bothered Kaufman - Angelica remained quite lonely. The father takes care of a decent man for her daughter. At the urging of old Angelica married mediocre Venetian painter, who by that time turned fifty - Antonio Tsukki. In Italy, in 1783, Kaufman was dead, and Angelica and her husband settled in Naples at the court of Queen Maria Carolina. But here it was hard to live indefinitely exploiting their skills and creating a similar one on the other portraits of courtiers.

New residence - Rome - gave her a meeting with the main man of his life - from Goethe. A great poet has appreciated the originality and rich inner world of the artist. For a long time, they share a tender friendship. Angelica wrote a portrait of Goethe, but he failed and was left unfinished. Kaufman did not have the skill to convey the genius of the German titan.

Thing of the past gallant century. Together with the old and slowly dying Angelica Kauffmann. Lonely, forgotten by all she had died at the hands of his uncle, November 5, 1807.