Artwork
María Luisa of Parma (1751–1819), Queen of Spain
María Luisa of Parma (1751–1819), Queen of Spain is an oil painting. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This oil painting presents a formal portrait of María Luisa of Parma, who reigned as Queen of Spain.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a portrait, it functions both as a visual record of the monarch and as a symbol of the dynastic connections she represented.
The portrait presents María Luisa of Parma in the role of queen, emphasizing her status within the Spanish court. Rendered in oil on canvas in 1900, the work is a copy after Goya and was originally owned by Louisine Havemeyer before entering the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. The composition focuses on her regal bearing, conveying the political authority associated with the queenship.
As a portrait, it functions both as a visual record of the monarch and as a symbol of the dynastic connections she represented.
Technique & Style
The portrait is executed in oil paint on canvas, a standard medium for formal royal portraiture of the period. The work measures 110.5 cm in height by 85.1 cm in width, an upright format suited to a half- or three-quarter-length depiction of the sitter. It is classified as a portrait painting and is recorded as a copy after Goya, indicating that the handling derives from a lost or separate original composition by Francisco de Goya rather than being an autograph work.
The canvas support and oil medium are consistent with late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century Spanish court practice, allowing for the layered glazes and detailed rendering of costume typical of the genre. The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, having previously been owned by Louisine Havemeyer.
History & Provenance
The portrait of María Luisa of Parma, dated 1900 and executed in oil on canvas, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work is identified as a copy after Francisco Goya and depicts the former Queen of Spain. According to the provided records, the painting measures 110.5 cm in height and 85.1 cm in width.
While the specific inventory or accession number is not detailed in the available data, the piece is documented as having been owned by Louisine Havemeyer prior to its inclusion in the museum's holdings. No specific exhibition history or dates of public display are recorded in the current source material.
Overview
This oil painting presents a formal portrait of María Luisa of Parma, who reigned as Queen of Spain. The artwork captures her likeness, emphasizing her regal presence and the elaborate fashion of her era. As a painted representation, it serves to document the appearance of a significant historical figure, likely intended for display within a royal or aristocratic setting.
Artist & collection
Therese Rockert
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