Artwork

The Infanta María Isabel of Naples, Daughter of Charles III

The Infanta María Isabel of Naples, Daughter of Charles III, by Clemente Ruta, oil, 1745
The Infanta María Isabel of Naples, Daughter of Charles III, by Clemente Ruta, oil, 1745

The Infanta María Isabel of Naples, Daughter of Charles III is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Clemente Ruta. It dates from 1745 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Overview

The Infanta María Isabel of Naples, Daughter of Charles III is a 1745 oil painting by Clemente Ruta, housed at the Museo del Prado. It portrays a young princess in a formal setting, accompanied by symbolic elements.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Infanta María Isabel as a young girl, dressed in a green gown with gold accents and a pink headband, sitting on a red cushion with a small dog. A background cherub playing a natural trumpet suggests a ceremonial or symbolic context, potentially alluding to joy, announcement, or divine favor.

Technique & Style

Ruta employed chiaroscuro to create depth, juxtaposing the vibrant, warm tones of the princess's attire and the red cushion against a cooler, subdued background. This contrast, along with the cherub's dynamic trumpet play, adds energy to the composition.

History & Provenance

Created in 1745 by Clemente Ruta, the painting's history prior to its current residence at the Museo del Prado is not detailed here.

Context

The formal attire and ceremonial hints (cherub with a trumpet) place the portrait within the tradition of royal portraiture, emphasizing the subject's status and potentially celebrating a specific event or attribute of the infanta.

Legacy

No specific information is provided on the painting's impact or legacy beyond its presence in the Museo del Prado's collection.

Artist & collection

Artist

Clemente Ruta

Clemente Ruta (1685–1767) was an artist, born in Parma.

Museo del Prado

Museum

Museo del Prado

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museo del Prado open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.