Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi by Angelica Kauffman
Description:
"Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi," painted by Angelica Kauffman in 1785, is a celebrated Neoclassical work that portrays the virtues of motherhood, wisdom, and moral integrity through the depiction of a notable figure from Roman history. Angelica Kauffman, born in 1741 in Switzerland, was a pioneering female artist of the 18th century and one of the founding members of the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Known for her historical and mythological paintings, Kauffman combined her interest in classical antiquity with the refined, idealized aesthetic of the Neoclassical movement, which sought to revive the values and styles of the ancient Greeks and Romans.
In "Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi," Kauffman illustrates a famous story that exemplifies the Roman ideal of virtuous womanhood. Cornelia, the daughter of Scipio Africanus and the mother of the reformist politicians Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, is shown rejecting a woman’s display of jewelry by presenting her two sons as her most precious treasures. Kauffman’s composition is marked by clarity and simplicity, with Cornelia positioned centrally, embodying the virtues of humility, strength, and maternal devotion. The figures are dressed in classical attire, and the background is sparsely adorned, focusing attention on the moral message of the scene. This painting, like many of Kauffman's works, underscores the importance of female virtue and the role of women in shaping the moral character of society.
Details:
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Location and Date Created: Rome, Italy, 1785.
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Medium: Oil on canvas.
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Full Artwork Name: Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi by Angelica Kauffman.
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Artwork Style: Neoclassicism; historical painting.
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Subject/Topic: Cornelia, the mother of the Gracchi brothers, presenting her children as her most valuable treasures, exemplifying Roman virtue and moral strength.