Portret van Doña Isabel Parreño Arce Ruiz de Alarcón y Valdes, marquesa de Llano

About this artwork

In the grand tradition of 18th-century European portraiture, Anton Raphaels' *Portret van Doña Isabelreño Arce Ruiz Alarcón y Val, marquesa de Ll* (1771–1772) captures the elegance of Spanish nobility. Mengs, a pivotal figure in the Neoclassical, painted this oil on canvas (135 × 98.5 cm) while serving as court painter to King Charles III of Spain. sitter, Doña Isabel, was a marquise whose aristocratic title and bearing reflect the era's emphasis on refined poise and social hierarchy. Mengs masterfully blends Rococo softness with Neoclassical precision, employing smooth brushwork and luminous glazing techniques to render fabrics, skin tones, and jewelry with lifelike clarity. This portrait exemplifies his innovative approach, drawing from classical antiquity to idealize the human form while grounding it in contemporary realism—a hallmark of the Enlightenment's rational aesthetic. Housed in Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, this work highlights the cultural exchanges between Spain and Northern Europe, showcasing Mengs' international influence. At over life-size in height, it invites viewers to appreciate the marquise's commanding presence, a testament to portraiture's role in immortalizing power and prestige.