He met with a sad misfortune, later, when, by the accidental upsetting of a lighted candle, the work of twenty years was destroyed. The story as told by a biographer is, that Sir Isaac left his pet dog alone in his study for a few moments, and during this brief absence the dog overturned the candle amongst the papers on the study table. It is further told as an evidence of the calmness and patience of the great man, that he only said, "Ah! Fido, you little know of the mischief you have done!"
But although he was so quiet under the great loss, the trial was almost too much for him; for a time his health seemed to give way, and his mental powers suffered from the effects of the shock. He died in 1725, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Faye Huntington.
SOME REMARKABLE WOMEN.
K.—KAUFFMAN, MARIA ANNA ANGELICA.
AMONG the women of history we find not a few artists; and of these Anna Maria Angelica Kauffman gained no mean reputation. She lived and worked and suffered during the latter half of the eighteenth century, dying in 1807. Her early life was spent in Switzerland, that land of romantic scenery. She opened her eyes in this world first among the mountains that rise above the beautiful and fertile valleys whose southern slopes teem with vines, whose highlands afford pasturage for the flocks of the farmers. Our artist's father was a travelling painter. Of his work we have no account. He is known to us only as the father of a gifted woman. Inheriting a love of art, she found in her father a ready sympathizer and willing helper. He gave her such instruction as he was able, and when he could carry her no farther in her studies, the family removed to Milan that she might have the opportunity of studying under more competent teachers. She had, however, before this—and she was only thirteen years old when they went to Milan—painted a portrait of the Bishop of Como, which gave her quite a reputation. At Milan she had an opportunity of mingling with other artists, and also the privilege of copying the finest pictures.
She excelled in portrait painting; when she went to London she was engaged to paint the portraits of "the most distinguished and beautiful ladies of the court." She everywhere received much attention, both on account of her talents as an artist, and her beauty and charming manner. Some of her pictures are in the Royal Gallery in Dresden; others may be seen in the Louvre in Paris.
Faye Huntington.