A Sleeping Nymph Watched by a Shepherd

Executed on copper, the painting employs a subtle chiaroscuro that models the figures and landscape, creating a clear contrast between illuminated areas and deeper shadows. The delicate handling of light accentuates the folds of the nymph’s gown and the texture of the shepherd’s attire, while the smooth surface of the copper supports fine detail in the foliage and clouded sky.

Created in 1790, the work entered the holdings of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader interest in 18th‑century European painting and the oeuvre of Angelica Kauffmann, a prominent female artist of the period.

Kauffmann, active in the late 18th century, often drew on classical mythology and pastoral themes, aligning with the Neoclassical taste of her time. The depiction of a nymph and shepherd echoes contemporary interests in idealized nature and the moralizing potential of mythic narratives.