Cornelia Africana 1785

Angelica Kauffmann created this oil painting "Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi, Pointing to Her Children as Her Treasures," a story of motherhood and virtue. Kauffmann expertly employs traditional oil painting techniques, layering thin glazes of pigment to achieve a smooth, luminous surface. Her brushwork is precise and controlled, evident in the detailed rendering of fabrics, skin tones, and facial expressions. The painting's smoothness allows the viewer to focus on the narrative: Cornelia presents her children as her jewels, rejecting material wealth. Yet, the very labor and value of this painting lies in the cost of paints, brushes, and studio space, and the years of training, skill, and artistic practice that Kauffmann invested to create this canvas. The painting also reflects a hierarchy in the art world. History paintings such as this, were considered the most elevated form of artistic expression, valued above portraiture, landscapes, or decorative arts. But by drawing our attention to the work involved, we can reconsider the artist's craft, her social context, and how all of these elements contribute to the meaning of the work.