Johanna Zoffany

Johann Zoffany (1733–1810) was an Anglo-German artist known for his detailed group portraits and theatrical scenes. Born near Frankfurt, Zoffany trained in Rome under Anton Raphael Mengs, before traveling across Europe and eventually settling in London in 1760. Despite initial struggles, he gained prominence with the help of patrons like David Garrick, for whom he painted theatrical portraits, and Queen Charlotte, who commissioned royal family portraits.

Zoffany's association with the British monarchy earned him a position as a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1769. His painting The Academicians of the Royal Academy (1771-72) showcased male artists in a life-drawing class, with female members, Angelica Kauffman and Mary Moser, depicted in portraits.

However, Zoffany’s fortunes shifted after the completion of The Tribuna of the Uffizi (1779), a work that scandalized the royal family due to its controversial content. This rupture in royal favor led Zoffany to travel to India in 1783, where he painted scenes of Anglo-Indian life, such as Colonel Mordaunt’s Cock Match. Upon his return to London, Zoffany's output declined due to ill health, but his later works included responses to the French Revolution. He died in 1810, aged 77.

Despite periods of scandal, Zoffany remains celebrated for his vivid portrayal of 18th-century society.