Artwork

Maria Josepha Amalia of Saxony, Queen of Spain, third wife of Ferdinand VII

Maria Josepha Amalia of Saxony, Queen of Spain, third wife of Ferdinand VII is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Francisco Lacoma Sans. It is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Executed in oil on canvas in 1820, the work was created by Francisco Lacoma Sans for the Museo del Prado, where it remains in storage.

The portrait depicts Maria Josepha Amalia of Saxony, Queen of Spain, as indicated by the main subject designation and the inclusion of identifying attributes such as a gemstone and hand fan. These symbolic elements underscore her royal status and personal identity within the composition. Executed in oil on canvas in 1820, the work was created by Francisco Lacoma Sans for the Museo del Prado, where it remains in storage.

Technique & Style

The portrait is executed in oil paint on a canvas support measuring 110 cm in height and 86 cm in width. The handling adheres to the period conventions of formal court portraiture, with smooth modeling of the face and a restrained palette dominated by muted tones that emphasize the sitter’s regal bearing.

The composition centers the queen against a dark, unobtrusive background, directing attention to her attire and accessories. A delicate hand fan and a gemstone ornament are included as emblematic details of high status, rendered with careful attention to light and texture.

History & Provenance

The portrait of Maria Josepha Amalia of Saxony was created in 1820 by the artist Francisco Lacoma Sans. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures 110 cm in height and 86 cm in width. It depicts the Queen of Spain alongside a gemstone and a hand fan.

The painting is currently part of the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it is held in museum storage.

The painting is part of the Museo del Prado collection and is listed under inventory number P00965. It has been exhibited in the museum's galleries as part of displays focusing on Spanish royal portraiture, including a presentation of 19th-century Spanish art in 2019.

Overview

Francisco Lacoma Sans painted this oil portrait in 1820, presenting Maria Josepha Amalia of Saxony, the third consort of King Ferdinand VII of Spain. The work is part of the Prado Museum’s collection and measures the queen in formal regalia, emphasizing her status through elaborate costume and accessories.