Silvia, decorating herself with flowers while observed by Daphne 

Angelica Kauffmann, a skilled portraitist, history painter, and one of only two women to co-found the Royal Academy in London, painted this scene. The scene reflects the prevailing Neoclassical interest in antiquity and mythology, as well as the societal expectations placed on women in the 18th century. The painting presents a moment of private beauty. Silvia adorns herself with flowers, seemingly unaware of Daphne's gaze. As women artists gained prominence, there was a corresponding increased scrutiny of their conduct, intellect, and morality. Kauffmann delicately navigates these societal constraints by presenting a scene of women in nature. However, she also subtly reinforces the notion of women as objects of beauty and observation. The act of decorating oneself with flowers can be interpreted as a form of self-objectification. This image subtly reflects the complex interplay of visibility and vulnerability experienced by women artists in the 18th century. It invites us to reflect on the ways in which identity is shaped by cultural expectations and personal expression.