Portrait of Mme Latouce 

Angelica Kauffmann painted this portrait of Madame Latouce using oil on canvas. The Neoclassical style is evident in the subject's simple garment, a classical drapery, and her contemplative pose, reminiscent of ancient muses. The gesture of resting one's head upon a hand is a motif spanning centuries. We see it in melancholic depictions of antiquity and Renaissance art, representing thoughtfulness, even sorrow. Think of ancient sculptures of mourning figures, or depictions of saints in quiet contemplation. It carries a heavy weight of introspection, suggesting a deep engagement with thought. Consider how this motif has evolved: from emblems of grief and piety to symbols of intellectual depth. Kauffmann taps into this rich vein of collective memory, engaging the viewer on a subconscious level, inviting us to ponder not just Madame Latouce's likeness, but also the timeless human capacity for reflection.