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Portrait of Maria Luisa of Parma, Later Queen of Spain

1765 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

portrait

In 1765 Laurent Pécheux was called to Parma to paint Princess Maria Luisa (17511819) who, although only thirteen, was already renowned for being spoiled and conceited. This portrait, whose commission is recorded in great detail in the artist's autobiography, was for the family of her fiancé, the Prince of Asturias, later King Charles IV of Spain (17481819).

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Portrait of Maria Luisa of Parma, Later Queen of Spain

About the Artist

Laurent Pécheux

1729 – 1821

French painter, active in Italy. Although born in France, Laurent Pécheux spent the majority of his working life in Italy. He left Paris in 1753 for Rome, where he studied under Anton Raphael Mengs and met Pompeo Batoni. He entered the academies of Rome (1762) and Bologna (1764), and was appointed director of the academy in Turin (1777). Although recognized for his portraits, in Turin Pécheux decorated the Biblioteca Reale and painted frescos for the church of San Domenico.

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