Artwork
Queen María Luisa in a Mantilla
Queen María Luisa in a Mantilla is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Agustín Esteve. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Agustín Esteve's 'Queen María Luisa in a Mantilla' is an oil portrait painted in 1800, now part of the Museo del Prado's collection. The work captures Queen Maria Luisa of Parma in a formal, contemplative pose.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait focuses on Queen Maria Luisa, emphasizing her dignity through a straight posture and somber, dark attire contrasted with the paleness of her face and hands. A fan in her right hand and a ring on her finger are the only adornments, suggesting restraint and simplicity.
Technique & Style
Esteve employed chiaroscuro to create a strong sense of volume and presence, with sharp contrasts between light and dark. The intense lighting on the queen's face against a dark background accentuates her form, giving the figure a sense of solidity.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1800, the portrait is attributed to Agustín Esteve. Its current location is the Museo del Prado, though the full provenance history prior to its acquisition is not detailed here.
Context
Created at the turn of the 19th century, the portrait reflects the artistic and social sensibilities of its time, blending traditional representation of royalty with the emerging techniques of the era, such as the pronounced use of chiaroscuro.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Portrait of Doña Antonia Zárate
Tadea Arias de Enríquez
Maria Josepha Amalia of Saxony, Queen of Spain, third wife of Ferdinand VII
Portrait of Marie Thérèse of France, Duchess of Angoulême (1778-1851)
Portrait of María Luisa de Borbón y Vallabriga
Dona Amalia Bonells de Costa
Narcisa Barañana de Goicoechea
Marie Louise Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saafeld, Duchess of Kent (1786–1861)