DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.66024#0100
5°
ANGELICA KAUFFMANN
regarded as an excellent teacher of perspective, and she therefore had left
the home. Everything seemed to point to the desirability of a change, and
accordingly it was decided that such a change should take place, and that
the Kauffmanns should leave London and settle down in Italy. Antonio
Zucchi thereupon proposed to Angelica, and was accepted; but there does
not seem to have been any notable affection on her part for him, although
it is clear, from references to him in contemporary letters, that he had admired
and deeply respected her, for a great many years, and that this respect had
eventually grown into affection.
In his letters to Sir Rowland Winn, alluded to at greater length in our
chapter upon Zucchi, the prospective bridegroom speaks in charming phrase-
ology concerning his fiancee, saying how the union will contribute to his
felicity, how agreeable Angelica was to him, and what a high opinion he had
formed regarding her merits as an artist.
Where the marriage took place is not actually known. The marriage settle-
ment was executed on the 10th of July, 1781. It is still in existence, and
was for years in the possession of the late Mr. Gery Milner-Gibson-Cullum,
who also owned two of Angelica’s portraits, those representing Cullum
ancestors. In the deed Zucchi is described as having his apartments in St.
Anne’s parish, Soho, and as a painter; and Angelica is also described as a
painter, and of Golden Square, Bloomsbury. She is mentioned as a spinster,
which she certainly was in that year, whatever may have been her equivocal
position up to that time. The trustees for Angelica’s little fortune, accumu-
lated by steady hard work, were Mr. George Keate, the author of the poem
just mentioned, Mr. Henry Peter Kuliff, a merchant, who was her banker
and man of business,1 and Mr. Daniel Braithwaite of the General Post Office,
a Quaker, wThose portrait Angelica had painted. The property they were
to hold was the sum of .£3350 three per cent. Consolidated Annuities, and
.£1650 three per cent. Consolidated Reduced Bank Annuities, and this estate
was to be held “ for the use and benefit of the said Angelica Kauffmann,
whether sole or covert, and to enable her to enjoy the dividends, exclusive
of the said Antonio Zucchi, her intended husband, who is not to intermeddle
therewith, nor any part thereof to be subject to his debts.” The deed also
gives her power to leave the said sums by will as she shall appoint. Zucchi,
on his part, possessed a freehold house in John Street, Adelphi, which was let
at £90 a year. He also possessed some Short Bank Annuities which brought
in £150 a year, and there were other sums, lent out on interest to different
people, which added to his income. The deed was executed tripartite and is
fully signed and sealed.2
The little party sailed from England on the 19th of July, nearly sixteen
years to the month since Angelica had arrived there with Lady Wentworth.
They went first of all to Schwarzenburg, then to Venice, a little later to Rome,
1 Eventually connected with the firm of Brown, Johnson & Co.
2 After Mr. Cullum’s death the deed was most kindly lent us by his niece.
ANGELICA KAUFFMANN
regarded as an excellent teacher of perspective, and she therefore had left
the home. Everything seemed to point to the desirability of a change, and
accordingly it was decided that such a change should take place, and that
the Kauffmanns should leave London and settle down in Italy. Antonio
Zucchi thereupon proposed to Angelica, and was accepted; but there does
not seem to have been any notable affection on her part for him, although
it is clear, from references to him in contemporary letters, that he had admired
and deeply respected her, for a great many years, and that this respect had
eventually grown into affection.
In his letters to Sir Rowland Winn, alluded to at greater length in our
chapter upon Zucchi, the prospective bridegroom speaks in charming phrase-
ology concerning his fiancee, saying how the union will contribute to his
felicity, how agreeable Angelica was to him, and what a high opinion he had
formed regarding her merits as an artist.
Where the marriage took place is not actually known. The marriage settle-
ment was executed on the 10th of July, 1781. It is still in existence, and
was for years in the possession of the late Mr. Gery Milner-Gibson-Cullum,
who also owned two of Angelica’s portraits, those representing Cullum
ancestors. In the deed Zucchi is described as having his apartments in St.
Anne’s parish, Soho, and as a painter; and Angelica is also described as a
painter, and of Golden Square, Bloomsbury. She is mentioned as a spinster,
which she certainly was in that year, whatever may have been her equivocal
position up to that time. The trustees for Angelica’s little fortune, accumu-
lated by steady hard work, were Mr. George Keate, the author of the poem
just mentioned, Mr. Henry Peter Kuliff, a merchant, who was her banker
and man of business,1 and Mr. Daniel Braithwaite of the General Post Office,
a Quaker, wThose portrait Angelica had painted. The property they were
to hold was the sum of .£3350 three per cent. Consolidated Annuities, and
.£1650 three per cent. Consolidated Reduced Bank Annuities, and this estate
was to be held “ for the use and benefit of the said Angelica Kauffmann,
whether sole or covert, and to enable her to enjoy the dividends, exclusive
of the said Antonio Zucchi, her intended husband, who is not to intermeddle
therewith, nor any part thereof to be subject to his debts.” The deed also
gives her power to leave the said sums by will as she shall appoint. Zucchi,
on his part, possessed a freehold house in John Street, Adelphi, which was let
at £90 a year. He also possessed some Short Bank Annuities which brought
in £150 a year, and there were other sums, lent out on interest to different
people, which added to his income. The deed was executed tripartite and is
fully signed and sealed.2
The little party sailed from England on the 19th of July, nearly sixteen
years to the month since Angelica had arrived there with Lady Wentworth.
They went first of all to Schwarzenburg, then to Venice, a little later to Rome,
1 Eventually connected with the firm of Brown, Johnson & Co.
2 After Mr. Cullum’s death the deed was most kindly lent us by his niece.