Bust of a Young Woman with Flowers in Her Hair 

Here is your audio guide script: This print of a young woman with flowers in her hair was created by Angelica Kauffmann in Rome in 1785. The composition, framed within an oval, presents a delicate play of light and shadow achieved through fine, etched lines. Observe how the gentle curves of the figure, from her head to the slope of her shoulder, create a sense of languid grace. Kauffmann uses line to define form, but also to suggest texture, particularly in the soft draping of her dress and the turban. This texture contrasts with the smoother skin of her face. The woman’s gaze, directed slightly downward, conveys a pensive mood. The flowers in her hair, along with the neoclassical style, situate the work within the broader artistic and intellectual currents of the late 18th century. Consider how the artwork functions as a sign. It reflects cultural values associated with femininity, beauty, and artistic representation during the Enlightenment. By engaging with these established visual codes, Kauffmann invites viewers to reflect on the relationship between art, gender, and society.