A ‘marriage advertisement’

A 'marriage advertisement'

Looking for love...

Strangely enough, this romantic painting is not of a romantic couple. So what is the story behind this high-profile portrait by Angelica Kauffmann? Actually, we are seeing something extraordinary here, namely an eighteenth-century ‘marriage advertisement’.

The beautiful young woman, Anna Maria Jenkins, is looking for the man of her dreams.... At the time that was synonymous with a suitable - and therefore also wealthy - suitor. She is pictured here with her uncle Thomas Jenkins. The well-known art dealer and banker politely takes off his hat to welcome potential suitors.

The painting is filled with symbolism. The rural setting, with the iconic Roman Colosseum in the distance, the elegant white dress and the romantic flowers allude to Anna Maria’s beauty and purity. The dog symbolises (marital) fidelity and wears a luxurious collar with the name ‘Jenkins’ written on it.

These kinds of portraits were often commissioned (by the elite) to obtain a reciprocation of love, or to secure a marriage. A role was thus created for portrait painting: presenting young women attractively on the marriage market.