Apr 6
Anna Maria Jenkins; Thomas Jenkins
Artist: Angelica Kauffmann (Swiss, 1741-1807)
Date: 1790
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: National Portrait Gallery, London, United Kingdom
Description
The art dealer and banker Thomas Jenkins was sometimes considered England's unofficial ambassador in Rome. His niece, Anna Maria, went to live with him in 1788. In 1790 she was searching for a husband and this portrait can be viewed as an advertisement of her charms. The rural setting, with a distant view of the Colosseum, her white dress and the flowers she holds, all signify Anna Maria's beauty and purity. Welcoming potential suitors, her uncle takes off his hat and pats the dog - symbol of loyalty - whose collar reads 'Jenkins'.
#group portrait#anna maria jenkins#thomas kenkins#double portrait#rural setting#the colosseum#white dress#flowers#hat#mountains#italy#garland#pink sash#dog#period costume#black coat#rosebush#foliage#trees#blue horizon#male figure#female figure#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#artwork#swiss culture#swiss art#angelica kauffmann