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Lot Essay
Rosalba Carriera was one of the most celebrated portraitist of the eighteenth century and the first artist to specialize in pastel portraits. She began her career in Venice as a miniaturist, painting snuff-boxes. She drew her first pastel portrait in 1700 and from then on received commissions from the most illustrious tourists who passed through Venice. She made portraits of the Elector Palatine, King Frederick IV of Denmark, Frederick Augustus II, King of Poland, the Duke of Modena's daughters, as well as Consul Smith.
In 1715 Pierre Crozat travelled to Italy and invited Rosalba to France. She accepted his invitation only five years later and went to Paris where she met the great French portraitists of the period, Rigaud and Largillière. It is also at this period that she befriended Antoine Watteau, then staying with Crozat, and executed his portrait. Ten years later she went to Vienna to make portraits of the Imperial family. She was member of the Accademia di San Luca and was one of the first women to enter the Académie de Peinture in Paris.
One of her most loyal admirers was August II, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, who managed to buy, often directly from her, more than 150 of her pastels. Many are still today in the Dresden Gallery. She stopped drawing in 1746, when she lost her sight.
Similar pastels to the present one were sold at Christie's, London, 6 July 1993, lots 83-4.
In 1715 Pierre Crozat travelled to Italy and invited Rosalba to France. She accepted his invitation only five years later and went to Paris where she met the great French portraitists of the period, Rigaud and Largillière. It is also at this period that she befriended Antoine Watteau, then staying with Crozat, and executed his portrait. Ten years later she went to Vienna to make portraits of the Imperial family. She was member of the Accademia di San Luca and was one of the first women to enter the Académie de Peinture in Paris.
One of her most loyal admirers was August II, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, who managed to buy, often directly from her, more than 150 of her pastels. Many are still today in the Dresden Gallery. She stopped drawing in 1746, when she lost her sight.
Similar pastels to the present one were sold at Christie's, London, 6 July 1993, lots 83-4.