Untitled

1793

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Dominant colour

Untitled is a 1793 by Angelica Kauffman, a Romanticism work, depicting Saint Cecilia, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Angelica Kauffman
When & what style?: 1793 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

Angelica Kauffman made this print in 1793. It’s a small, two-part image of Saint Cecilia. One side shows her in red ink, the other in black. The cool trick? You slide the frame’s ring and the colors swap on the spot. The frame itself is fancy too—blue glass with gold designs. Fun puzzle to try next time you’re at a museum.

The story of this work

Overview

A transfigurative print in its original carved fruitwood frame, this work consists of two oval stipple prints depicting half-length female figures, one in red and one in black, each cut into horizontal strips. The prints are arranged so that pulling or pushing the ring at the top of the frame alternately displays either image. The mount is verre églomisé with a dark blue background, featuring gold decorations including an oval border around the aperture and a stylized flower in each corner. The red print is signed "A. Kauffman pinxt / G. Scorodoomoff sculp."

Read the full account in the museum source.