Angelica Kauffman RA (Swiss, 1740-1807)
And Nathan said unto David, 'Thou art Man';
The prophet Ahlijah foretells to the wife of King Jeroboam the death of her son Abijah
a pair, both signed 'Angelika Kauffman/Pinx' l.l., bearing the artist’s original descriptive label verso, oil on canvas
42.5 x 47.5cm (2)
Provenance: Commissioned by George Bowles of Wanstead, London, to Kauffman at this time in Rome, August 1791;
Bequeathed to his sister Rebecca Rushout, later 1st Baroness Northwick;
Rushout sale, Phillips & Neale, London, 9 December 1879, bought by Joseph Pyke;
Joseph Pyke, Devonshire Place House, Marylebone Road;
Anon. sale, Sotheby’s, London, 9 July 1980, lot 84;
Anon. sale, Sotheby's, London, 14 July 1999, lot 39.
Literature: Frances A Gerard, 'Angelica Kauffman: A Biography', London 1893, p.365, No. 2 (collection G Bowles);
Lady Victoria Manners and G C Williamson, 'Angelica Kauffman RA', 1924, p.161;
Bettina Baumgärtel, 'Angelica Kauffman', catalogue for the exhibition in Dusseldorf, 1998-1999, no.269.
Painted in Rome, these two works depict biblical scenes from the Old Testament relating to two kings of Israel. In the first work King Jeroboam’s wife is shown in distress after being told by the prophet Ahlijah of her son’s impending death. The second depicts the moment that the prophet Nathan points an accusing finger at King David, who was guilty of plotting the murder of his wife’s former husband, Uriah, so that he could marry her. Both scenes are enacted with high drama and demonstrate Kaufmann’s compositional prowess.
Initially these works were part of a set of four, which were commissioned in 1791 by one of Kauffman’s greatest patrons, George Bowles. Bowles owned as many as fifty works by Kauffman and supported her throughout her career.
Our thanks to Dr. Bettina Baumgärtel, head of the Angelika Kauffman Research Project, for her help in the preparation of this catalogue entry.
overall: 59 x 64cm
and nathan said unto David:
The surface is covered with a fine craquelure. There is a small repaired scratch to the upper right edge. The canvas has been re-lined.
Under UV light - the surface is covered with a thick layer of probably dammar varnish which obscures much of the surface. There are several very small flecks of retouching in places, however, nothing extensive or that appears to be the result of significant damage. it is possible there are older retouchings, however, nothing is visible. In generally good order, ready to hang.
The prophet Ahlijah foretells to the wife of King Jeroboam the death of her son Abijah: The canvas has been lined. There is a fine craquelure covering the surface. To the lower edge, centre right, there is a small square scratch, below the seated figure. See illustration.
Under UV light - as above, there is a thick layer of varnish which obscures much of the surface. However, there are some minor spots of retouching in places, with some evidence of infilling to the craquelure to the lower left quarter of the work.
Both come with the original plaques.
