National Gallery in London Acquires Major Angelica Kauffman Painting from 18th Century

The National Gallery in London has announced the acquisition of a significant history painting by Angelica Kauffman, titled Achilles discovered among the Daughters of Lycomedes, which is now on display at the museum. This painting, created between 1787 and 1788, marks the first work by Kauffman to enter a UK national collection in nearly two centuries.

Previously, another painting by Kauffman was bequeathed to the National Gallery in 1835 but was later transferred to Tate Britain when it opened in 1897. Unfortunately, that painting is believed to have been destroyed during World War II in the 1941 Plymouth Blitz.

Details of the Newly Acquired Painting

Achilles discovered among the Daughters of Lycomedes illustrates a Greek mythological scene from the Trojan War. In this artwork, the hero Achilles is depicted in a moment of discovery, dressed as a woman to evade his fate in the war. According to the National Gallery, he is shown wearing “a pink gown with a white ribbon woven fashionably in his golden hair” while drawing a sword.

The painting's composition features classical elements, with “the poses of the figures reminiscent of ancient classical sculpture.” Items such as a discarded lute and a plumed helmet reinforce the classical setting, alongside large round columns in the background that create a stage-like environment.

Kauffman's Artistic Journey

While the scene depicted is not found in Homer's Iliad, Kauffman drew inspiration from Achilleid, a first-century CE text by Publius Papinius Statius. Kauffman lived in London from 1766 to 1782, during which she became interested in this subject, painting at least three versions of this scene.

The recently acquired piece serves as an oil study, or modello, for a larger work created in 1789 that is currently held in St. Petersburg. Notably, this study is described as “unusually large” and detailed for its type, measuring nearly 4 feet square.

Generous Donation to the Gallery

The painting was gifted to the National Gallery by Richard and Luba Barrett, collectors based in Dallas who specialize in Swiss art. Alongside Kauffman’s painting, the Barretts also donated two other significant works: Portrait of Louis Montchal (1885) by Ferdinand Hodler and Four Large Trees (before 1850) by Alexandre Calame.

National Gallery director Gabriele Finaldi expressed gratitude for the Barretts' contributions, stating, “We are very grateful to Richard and Luba Barrett for this generous gift of three outstanding pictures by Swiss artists from the 18th and 19th centuries.”