Virgil Reading the Aeneid to Augustus and Octavia
Angelica Kauffmann · 1788
Why it's great
The poet Virgil reads from his epic poem the Aeneid to the emperor Augustus and his sister Octavia, who faints at the lines about her dead son Marcellus. Angelica Kauffmann painted this famous story in 1788.
🏛️ Part of history
Cleopatra, Antony & the Rise of the Empire (44 BC – 14 AD) — The poet Virgil reads from his epic poem the Aeneid to the emperor Augustus and his sister Octavia, who faints at the lines about her dead son Marcellus.
Where to see it
📍 Location not recordedWe couldn't confirm where it hangs today. Museums sometimes move or lend paintings, so check the museum's website before you travel.
Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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Angelica Kauffman was born in Chur, Switzerland, and was a child prodigy who traveled across Europe as a teen artist. She lived in Italy and London, where she became a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts. She painted portraits and scenes from myth and history. She died in Rome in 1807.
