Who painted The actress Kitty Fisher as Danae?

The actress Kitty Fisher as Danae was painted by Joshua Reynolds in 1764.

Where can I see The actress Kitty Fisher as Danae?

The actress Kitty Fisher as Danae is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is The actress Kitty Fisher as Danae?

The actress Kitty Fisher as Danae is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of The actress Kitty Fisher as Danae?

Museum-quality prints of The actress Kitty Fisher as Danae are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The actress Kitty Fisher as Danae

Joshua Reynolds , 1764

The actress Kitty Fisher as Danae is a paint painting by the Rococo painting artist Joshua Reynolds. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin. Created in 1764, this oil painting presents the celebrated actress Kitty Fisher posed as the mythological figure Danae.

About this work

Overview

The composition centers on a reclining female figure, her gaze directed away, set against an indistinct dark backdrop that isolates her presence.

Created in 1764, this oil painting presents the celebrated actress Kitty Fisher posed as the mythological figure Danae. Executed by Sir Joshua Reynolds, a dominant portraitist of mid‑eighteenth‑century England, the work now belongs to the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin. The composition centers on a reclining female figure, her gaze directed away, set against an indistinct dark backdrop that isolates her presence.

Subject & Meaning

Reynolds cast Fisher in the role of Danae, the mortal who received Zeus in the form of golden rain, merging contemporary celebrity with classical allegory. The choice reflects the era’s taste for elevating fashionable individuals through mythic identification, suggesting both sensual allure and a touch of divine favor.

Technique & Style

The painting employs a light blue drapery and a relaxed pose, while the brushwork on skin and fabric remains loose, giving a near‑sketchy softness. This handling aligns with the Rococo sensibility favored by Reynolds, who advocated a “Grand Style” that idealized subjects through refined yet fluid execution rather than meticulous detailing.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the portrait entered private collections before being acquired by the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, where it remains on display. Reynolds, who later became the first president of the Royal Academy of Arts and received a knighthood in 1769, produced the work during the height of his influence on British portraiture.