Kvinden ved urnen 1767

Angelica Kauffmann created this print, *Kvinden ved urnen,* using engraving techniques to render a scene dominated by sepia tones. The composition centres on a woman beside an urn, with both figures rendered in soft, flowing lines that create a sense of melancholy. Consider how the texture achieved through engraving—the fine, deliberate strokes—shapes our perception. The woman's contemplative pose, combined with the classical architecture, suggests a reflection on mortality and memory. The urn itself becomes a focal point, its rounded form contrasting with the angular lines of the base, symbolizing perhaps the cyclical nature of life. Kauffmann’s choice of sepia adds a layer of emotional depth, evoking a sense of nostalgia. This colour choice also alludes to the artistic conventions and philosophical concerns that were used to elicit an emotional response from the viewer. Through the interplay of line, form, and tonality, Kauffmann invites us to contemplate the complex interplay between loss and remembrance.