Virgil Reading the Aeneid to Augustus and Octavia 

Angelica Kauffmann painted Virgil Reading the Aeneid to Augustus and Octavia with oil on canvas. Kauffmann, an accomplished portraitist, gained international recognition at a time when the art world was dominated by men, and history painting was considered the most elevated genre. Here, she depicts a scene of high culture, but also of emotional drama. Virgil's epic poem, commissioned by Emperor Augustus, was intended to legitimise his reign. The episode Kauffman depicts shows Augustus's sister Octavia overcome with emotion as Virgil reads the passage about her deceased son Marcellus. Note how Kauffmann positions Octavia at the centre of the painting and how the figures around her respond to her grief. Kauffmann was one of only two women to become a founding member of the Royal Academy in London, where she was celebrated for her contributions to the neoclassical style. To fully understand Kauffmann's artistic choices, scholars consult letters, diaries, and exhibition reviews to understand the changing tastes of the public and the complex social dynamics of the art world.