Ideal portrait of Shakespeare 1775

Angelica Kauffmann, a successful artist in the 18th century, painted this image of Shakespeare. During this time, portraits weren't just about capturing a likeness; they were about constructing an image, conveying social status, and expressing cultural values. This painting is particularly fascinating because it isn't a portrait from life. Instead, Kauffmann creates an 'ideal' image of Shakespeare, who had died almost 200 years prior. We can see the figure framed within theatrical curtains and an idyllic scene of a woman placing a garland on a monument. This adds layers of romanticism and reverence. Kauffmann, as a woman artist in a male-dominated field, was very aware of the male gaze, and she actively shaped her own identity and artistic expression. What does it mean to create an ‘ideal’ image? What aspects of Shakespeare’s identity are being emphasized here, and why? The painting can invite us to reflect on how we construct narratives around historical figures. It prompts us to consider how gender, class, and historical context shape our perceptions of identity and achievement.