The “Self-portrait” by Angelica Kauffman, painted in 1787, is an oil on canvas artwork measuring 128 x 94 cm and is displayed at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. Kauffman was a prominent artist of the Neoclassicism and Rococo movements, and this self-portrait is a testament to her skill and the artistic styles of that period.
In the artwork, Angelica Kauffman presents herself in an elegant pose. She is depicted as a refined woman, dressed in classical attire that reflects the neoclassical taste for antiquity and simplicity. The white dress with loose drapery suggests an affinity with the classical world, and her posture—sitting with one arm resting on a surface, holding a drawing instrument—emphasizes her identity as an artist. Her other hand is gently placed on her lap, further conveying grace and composure.
Her expression is thoughtful and contemplative, looking slightly away from the viewer as if caught in a moment of introspection or creative thought. The warmth of the color palette, with its soft rendering of skin tones and fabric, is indicative of the Rococo influence. The inclusion of dramatic curtains to the side helps frame the figure and adds a baroque sense of depth and grandeur to the composition. The landscape visible in the background may symbolize her connection to the world beyond the immediate setting, suggesting a breadth of vision or personal narrative.
By choosing to represent herself as a classical figure with the tools of her trade, Kauffman asserts her identity both as a woman and as a professional artist in a period when female artists were rare. This self-portrait exudes a sense of confidence in her intellectual and artistic abilities, while still remaining true to the aesthetic values of her time.
