DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.66024#0182
100 ANGELICA KAUFFMANN
questions as to his opinion of the picture. The Master examined it minutely
without uttering, then remarked :—
“ ‘ It seems to me a good picture, but I understand nothing of painting;
had it been a statue I would have ventured an opinion.’ The discussion
became more animated than ever. Gian Gherardo dei Rossi begged the
Prince to allow him to have the picture copied by some Portughese of whose
school he was the esteemed Director—a permission gladly accorded. The
copy was sent to Lisbon and the original remained in Prince Rezzonico’s
possession, who left it by will to dei Rossi in memory of the well-conceived
joke.”
It will be noticed that Volpato is here alluded to, and it may be of interest
to add that Domenica Volpato was at one time engaged to Canova, and that
Raphael Morghen, to whom we have lately made allusion, engraved the picture
that Angelica painted of Domenica’s father, Giovanni Volpato the engraver.
The picture was painted about 1795.
1797 supplies another interesting reference to Angelica in a letter, hitherto
unpublished, written by the Bishop of Derry, fourth Earl of Bristol, from
Trieste. There seems to be a certain element of doubt as to whether this
letter ever reached Angelica. It is now in the possession of the Rev. Sydenham
H. A. Hervey, who purchased it, some years ago, from a descendant of the
Mrs. Burroughs who is alluded to therein, and to whom the Earl-Bishop gave
this letter of introduction. She and her husband, Archdeacon Burroughs,
were then travelling in Italy, and as the letter came from the family it is possible
that it was never delivered, or, if presented, Angelica may have returned it to
Mrs. Burroughs, that she might retain it. Probably, however, the letter
never reached Angelica. It reads thus :—
“ Trieste, 5th of December, ’97.
“ My ever dearest Angelica,
“ You, who love the Bishop of Derry so well, will not refuse your
friendship or hospitality to the wife of the Archdeacon, especially as she carries
with her such a strong personal title to recommendation. Mrs. Burroughs is
impatient to make your acquaintance, both as an artist and a friend of mine.
You will find her sufficiently versed in that art over wch you gave so fortunate
a preference to Painting—wch has so well testify’d her gratitude for the
Preference.—Adieu, dear Angelica,
“ & remember Mrs. B. as the friend of your Devoted friend,
“ Bristol.”
The letter is addressed to “ Mrs. Angelica Kauffmann, Trinita de Monte,
Rome.” 1
1 We were indebted for permission to make use of this letter to the late Mr. W. S. Childe-
Pemberton, who had for some time in preparation a memoir of the Earl-Bishop.
questions as to his opinion of the picture. The Master examined it minutely
without uttering, then remarked :—
“ ‘ It seems to me a good picture, but I understand nothing of painting;
had it been a statue I would have ventured an opinion.’ The discussion
became more animated than ever. Gian Gherardo dei Rossi begged the
Prince to allow him to have the picture copied by some Portughese of whose
school he was the esteemed Director—a permission gladly accorded. The
copy was sent to Lisbon and the original remained in Prince Rezzonico’s
possession, who left it by will to dei Rossi in memory of the well-conceived
joke.”
It will be noticed that Volpato is here alluded to, and it may be of interest
to add that Domenica Volpato was at one time engaged to Canova, and that
Raphael Morghen, to whom we have lately made allusion, engraved the picture
that Angelica painted of Domenica’s father, Giovanni Volpato the engraver.
The picture was painted about 1795.
1797 supplies another interesting reference to Angelica in a letter, hitherto
unpublished, written by the Bishop of Derry, fourth Earl of Bristol, from
Trieste. There seems to be a certain element of doubt as to whether this
letter ever reached Angelica. It is now in the possession of the Rev. Sydenham
H. A. Hervey, who purchased it, some years ago, from a descendant of the
Mrs. Burroughs who is alluded to therein, and to whom the Earl-Bishop gave
this letter of introduction. She and her husband, Archdeacon Burroughs,
were then travelling in Italy, and as the letter came from the family it is possible
that it was never delivered, or, if presented, Angelica may have returned it to
Mrs. Burroughs, that she might retain it. Probably, however, the letter
never reached Angelica. It reads thus :—
“ Trieste, 5th of December, ’97.
“ My ever dearest Angelica,
“ You, who love the Bishop of Derry so well, will not refuse your
friendship or hospitality to the wife of the Archdeacon, especially as she carries
with her such a strong personal title to recommendation. Mrs. Burroughs is
impatient to make your acquaintance, both as an artist and a friend of mine.
You will find her sufficiently versed in that art over wch you gave so fortunate
a preference to Painting—wch has so well testify’d her gratitude for the
Preference.—Adieu, dear Angelica,
“ & remember Mrs. B. as the friend of your Devoted friend,
“ Bristol.”
The letter is addressed to “ Mrs. Angelica Kauffmann, Trinita de Monte,
Rome.” 1
1 We were indebted for permission to make use of this letter to the late Mr. W. S. Childe-
Pemberton, who had for some time in preparation a memoir of the Earl-Bishop.