Rosalba Carriera

Art Appreciation

Referred as the "Queen of Pastel," Rosalba Carriera was a Venetian Rococo painter known for miniatures, portraits, and introducing a new use of pastels.

Born on January 12, 1673, Carriera was a self-taught painter who began a career in making portrait miniatures for the lids of snuff-boxes. She established a reputation which gained her acceptance into Rome's Accademia di San Luca.

Her work evolved into portrait-painting where she exclusively used pastels. She is created as initiating a new style, the Rococo style. The Rococo style emphasized the use of pastel colors, spontaneous brush strokes, dancing lights, subtle surface tonalities and a soft, elegant and charming approach to subject matter. 

Her earliest known pastel portrait is of Anton Maria Zanetti. Zanetti promoted Carriera to other collectors throughout Europe. Not long after, her name was recognized by many collectors, diplomats, and royalty. 

Portrait of Louis XV as Dauphin (c. 1712-1715)

Self-portrait (c. 1743 - 1747)

Portrait of Caterina Sagredo Barbarigo (before 1741)

Sources:

https://nmwa.org/art/artists/rosalba-carriera/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosalba_Carriera

https://hyperallergic.com/594151/the-life-and-work-of-rosalba-carriera/