The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco have acquired two significant oil paintings by Swiss neoclassical artist Angelica Kauffmann (1741-1807), marking an important addition to their collection of 18th-century European art. The acquisition includes two works that illustrate scenes from James Thomson's pastoral poem collection "The Seasons."
The first painting, "Celadon and Amelia (Summer)," created around 1781, depicts the tragic tale of two Arcadian shepherds whose love story is featured in Thomson's poetry. Painted in oil on copper and measuring 31.8 x 22.4 cm, the work captures the dramatic moment described in the Scottish poet's verse: "Struck down. In a heap of pale ashes, fell the beautiful young girl, leaving her lover forever silent and forever sad." The painting illustrates how blind Nature destroyed the love between Amelia and Celadon, faithful and virtuous shepherds of Arcadia.
The second work in the pair is "Palemon and Lavinia," which represents another seasonal narrative from Thomson's four-part poetic cycle. Thomson's "The Seasons" was logically composed of four sections, with Amelia and Celadon being associated specifically with Summer. The poems tell pastoral stories of love, tragedy, and the relationship between humans and nature.
Angelica Kauffmann was one of the most prominent female artists of the 18th century and a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Born in Switzerland in 1741, she became renowned for her neoclassical style and her ability to translate literary narratives into compelling visual compositions. Her work often drew from classical mythology, literature, and historical subjects, making her paintings particularly appealing to educated audiences of her time.
These acquisitions demonstrate the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco's commitment to expanding their collection of European art from the neoclassical period. The paintings not only showcase Kauffmann's technical skill in oil painting on copper—a challenging medium that allowed for fine detail and luminous color—but also represent the 18th-century artistic tradition of translating popular literature into visual art.
