In 1783, Francisco Goya painted a portrait of Maria Teresa De Borbon Y Vallabriga. She was the daughter of Carlos III’s younger brother and portrayed wearing fashionable attire as a lady of the Spanish court. The painting is part of a suite of family likenesses Goya painted at the request of the prince, and it is one of his major portrait commissions.
Goya’s use of color in Maria Teresa De Borbon Y Vallabriga’s portrait is notable. He blended warm colors such as peach and gold to create an ethereal glow around her face while using jewel-toned blues to accentuate her dress’s details. The painting shows Maria Teresa standing at the edge of a terrace, adding depth to its composition.
Maria Teresa herself is shown with a dignified expression that reflects her future role as a countess, indicating Goya may have used specific poses or props to convey social status. Overall, this masterpiece serves as an excellent example of Goya’s talent for capturing both personality and style in his portraiture works.
