Meadows Musuem Hosts Charles IV of Spain Exhibit
“Portrait of Charles IV” by Francisco De Goya Oil on Canvas / 60 x 43.7” / 1789 |
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“Royal Splendor in the Enlightenment–Charles IV of Spain; The Meadows Museum has a new show that offers a great opportunity to see 18th C. Spanish paintings and decorative arts that have never before been shown outside Spain. “Royal Splendor in the Enlightenment–Charles IV of Spain; Patron and Collector” includes paintings, furniture, sculpture, silk embroideries and porcelain pieces that graced the various royal residences of Charles IV, (1748-1819) who was the last absolute monarch of Spain from 1788 until he was forced into exile by Napoleon in 1808. The collection includes early pieces that were collected as Charles grew up as prince and married his cousin Maria Luisa de Borbón-Parma (1765). It includes several pieces from the period of his reign and even includes a group of pieces from his exile period in France and Italy. The first thing that resonates as one looks through the show is the similarity of Spanish art and decorative art to other continental European royal collections, especially French art from the same time period. This is only natural since there was a great amount of cross-pollination of both family lines and culture at the time. Charles IV and Maria Luisa were both born in Italy and Maria Luisa was the granddaughter of Louis XV of France. They were very familiar with the customs and fashions of the French court. Also, in the upheaval after the French revolution, Spain became a haven for some of the artisans who had worked in the royal manufactories and were afraid of repercussions. Therefore, most of the pieces included are in the neo-classical style that was in fashion at the time. The furniture is gilded, and exquisitely hand-carved. Elaborate embroidered silks cover the queen’s chair and create a 17’ tall canopy over and underneath it. The official portrait of the 40-year-old Charles IV by Francisco De Goya done in 1789 as he began his reign is gorgeous as is the 1765 engagement portrait of the 14-year-old Maria Luisa by Giuseppe Baldrighi. Also intriguing are two expansive paintings that report the current events of the day. The 1761 painting by Antonio Joli of Vesuvius erupting is an expansive view of the volcano’s eruption as seen from one of the hills near Naples. Vesuvius began erupting on December 23, 1760 and continued for some two weeks. This painting shows the hot magma flowing down the mountain and several fires burning in its wake. Charles was fascinated by the scene of destruction in the country of his birth. In the last gallery is a massive painting by Pedro Kuntz of the 1819 burial processional of Maria Luisa from the Barberini Palace to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. This beautiful night scene depicts the queen’s large retinue of attendants and the crowd gathered to watch the event. All are quite dramatically lit by the torches carried by her attendants. Among the more intriguing pieces of decorative art is Maria Luisa’s sedan chair in which she was comported by footmen. A masterpiece of inlaid woodwork, gilded bronze fittings and silk interior upholstery, this is high-style product that quickly became outmoded as the values of republican society replaced royal privilege. Another tour-de-force of decorative arts is the stone and gilded bronze centerpiece that measures over 13” H x 110”L x 33” D, rests on a gilded bronze platform of recumbent lions and includes many multi-color stone miniatures of classical Greco-Roman colonnades and obelisks.  Sedan Chair for Queen Maria Luisa of Parma Royal Workshops Wood, gilded bronze, silk and trim / 64.1” H x 30.7” W x 39.3” D / 1795 Photo Courtesy of Patrimonio Nacional de España and The Meadows Museum When Napoleon forced Charles IV into exile, the period of absolute monarchy came to an end in Spain. Ferdinand VII, Charles IV’s heir, did recapture the throne from Napoleon and returned to power, but with much reduced authority. Spain is now a Republic and the king of Spain is essentially a ceremonial role. All of the trappings of the royal family now belong to the Spanish people and are managed by the Patrimonial Nacional that has graciously arranged this exhibition. The Meadows museum is the only venue outside of Spain where these pieces will be shown. This is a fitting exhibition for the Meadows since it has specialized in the collection of Spanish art since its inception and has the largest collection of Spanish art in the United States. Take the time to go and immerse yourself in the glory of 18th C. Spain. It is a fascinating look at the life enjoyed by the royal family of Spain during the same generation that things were so radically changing across the world, in France and America. |
