Self-Portrait 

Angelica Kauffmann created this self-portrait with a piece of graphite on paper. Here, Kauffmann rendered herself in a way that might be considered modern, as it is not a finished oil painting or grand history painting that brought her acclaim. Rather, it is an intimate sketch done with graphite that is used to imbue the artwork with significance. It is not about high art, but about the everyday practice of art making. The marks are provisional, as though the artist could wipe them away. She holds a porte-crayon, the tool of her trade, reminding us that the work of an artist is in the hand and mind. The sketch is a way for Kauffmann to reflect on her identity as an artist. It is a valuable reminder that creativity is tied to the touch, the labor of working with materials. By focusing on the materials, processes, and context in which artwork is made, we can challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.