The Muse

1764

Her portrait of Winckelmann

In Rome Kauffman painted a half-length portrait of the art historian Johann Joachim Winckelmann and also made an etching of it; in August 1764 Winckelmann wrote to a friend about her popularity: she spoke Italian and German, handled French and English with ease, could be called beautiful, and in singing could vie with the best virtuosi.

1765

Her portrait of Garrick in London brings her first fame

In 1765 her portrait of David Garrick, painted in Rome, was exhibited in London and brought Kauffman her first fame in England.

1766

Friendship with Joshua Reynolds

Reynolds became Kauffman’s firmest friend: in his pocketbooks she often appears as “Miss Angelica” or “Miss Angel”; in 1766 he painted her portrait, and she answered with her portrait of Reynolds.

June 1766

Arrives in London

In June 1766 Kauffman arrived in London, having been persuaded by Lady Wentworth to go with her. Lady Wentworth’s rank opened society to her, and the royal family showed her particular favour.

1767

Marries the impostor “Count de Horn”

In 1767 Kauffman married an impostor calling himself Count Frederick de Horn; the marriage ended in scandal: by one account it was declared void within a few months, by another the couple separated the following year.

December 1768

Founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts

In December 1768 Kauffman became one of the founding members of the Royal Academy of Arts in London, one of only two women among them.