Insane Maria. Like the Monk of Calais,
the subject for the picture is taken from A Sentimental Journey through
France and Italy (1768, part II, ch. 17) by Laurence Sterne. During
his journeys, the main character, Parson Yorick, meets insane Maria, who
had become mad because of an unhappy love affair. Kauffman painted five
versions of this subject.
See also: Angelica Kauffman. The Monk
of Calais.