ANGELICA KAUFFMAN.

MARY ANGELICA KAUFFMAN was born at Coira, in the country of the Grisons, in 1742. She was the daughter of Joseph Kauffman, portrait painter, a native of Bregentz, upon the lake of Constance, from whom she received lessons in painting and music. This latter art, for some time, took entire possession of her mind; but journeying with her father to Milan, she applied herself seriously to the study of painting, and copied a great number of works of the principal Italian masters. From Milan she repaired to Naples, in 1763, and from thence to Rome, in which city she prosecuted her labours with great success. In 1765 she came to England, where her reputation had preceded her: she was elected a royal academician in 1767; and received from the members of the society all the consideration due to her talents.

During her residence in England, Angelica married ; but having been unfortunate in her choice, the connexion was only productive of unhappiness. On her return to Rome she entered again into wedlock, which proved more felicitous than the former union.

Few females have painted history with so much advantage as Angelica Kauffman. Her figures, of medium size, are light and graceful, her compositions poetical and ingenious, and her expressions, in general, happy and sprightly. Her colouring was soft and harmonious, and in the best manner of the modern Italians. In her latter years she gave more

energy to her tints, by studying the Venetian masters. She had formed her style after the antique, and was enabled to give the air of Grecian beauties to her female figures; in those of men she has been less successful; they for the most part are wanting in vigour and character, and have the physiognomy of women.

The works of Angelica Kauffman have employed the most skilful engravers in Europe; she engraved with her own hand several of her productions, in an easy and flowing manner. She died at Rome,