To studerende oldinge 1763

"To studerende oldinge" is an etching by Angelica Kauffmann, created in Naples in 1783. Kauffmann was a highly successful Neoclassical painter, and one of the few women to achieve recognition in the male-dominated art world of the 18th century. Here, Kauffmann defies traditional gender roles, engaging with intellectual subject matter and academic artistic practices. The print depicts two elderly scholars poring over a large book, their faces etched with concentration and perhaps a hint of bewilderment. We see a parody of academic life, where aging scholars continue their pursuit of knowledge. The act of portraying older men studying could be a commentary on the expectations of male intellectual life during Kauffmann’s time. The artwork reflects the emotional weight of aging, and society's emphasis on gaining knowledge through education and the study of classical texts. The print resonates with the idea that learning, regardless of age or gender, is a lifelong endeavor.