Farewell of Abelard and Héloise 1780

Angelica Kauffmann's 1780 painting "Farewell of Abelard and Héloise" depicts a poignant moment in the lives of the famed medieval lovers. The work, now housed in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, captures the couple's sorrow as they part ways, forever separated by the consequences of their love. Kauffmann, a leading figure in the Neoclassical movement, masterfully portrays the emotional weight of the scene, emphasizing the dramatic chiaroscuro and the protagonists’ graceful yet melancholic poses. The painting is a testament to the enduring power of love and its tragic consequences, and its circular format further accentuates the sense of closure and finality.