Vieira Lusitano
Vieira Lusitano | |
---|---|
Born | Francisco de Matos Vieira 4 October 1699 |
Died | 13 August 1783 | (aged 83)
Nationality | Portuguese |
Occupation(s) | Court painter, illustrator and engraver |
Francisco de Matos Vieira, better known as Vieira Lusitano (4 October 1699 – 13 August 1783) was a Portuguese court painter, illustrator and engraver.
Biography
His father was a maker of socks and stockings.[1] He was originally meant to pursue an ecclesiastical career, but when he displayed an aptitude for art, his parents changed their plans. Word of his talents reached Carnide, where some gentlemen who operated a literary academy asked to meet him. During his presentation to them, he met a girl named Inês Helena de Lima e Melo, who would become his lifelong passion.[2]
Meanwhile, he had begun his studies, probably with André Gonçalves. His work came to the attention of the Marquis of Fontes,[1] who had recently been appointed Ambassador to Rome. The Marquis offered to take Vieira with him, so he could continue his studies there, and his family accepted the offer.
Once there, aged only thirteen, he was apprenticed to
Marriage and its aftermath
Returning home after seven years, he was commissioned by King
Finally acknowledging defeat, he returned to Lisbon in 1728. Somehow, he arranged to have male clothing smuggled in to Inês so, dressed as a man, she simply walked out of the convent. When it was discovered that she was missing, her relatives hired a hooligan to avenge their honor. Vieira was shot as he walked down the street and seriously injured.[2] When he recovered, he sought justice from King John V, but his wife's family was influential and the would-be assassin was allowed to flee the country. Fearing for his safety, Vieira entered the Paulist convent then, in 1732, went to Seville, to work for King Philip V.[1]
Court Painter
Upon his return to Lisbon the following year, he was named
In 1775, his beloved Inês died. Stricken with grief, he gave up painting and entered the
Portraits of the Royal Family
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Infanta Maria Ana Francisca of Portugal
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Infanta Maria Doroteia of Portugal
References
- ^ a b c d e f Brief biography @ A Arte em Portugal.
- ^ a b c d e Dicionário Histórico Português Volume VII, pgs. 459-460, published 1904-1915, ed. by João Romano Torres.
- ^ Publisher information and image of cover @ Archive.org
- ^ Brief biography @ Ensina.
Further reading
- Luiz Xavier da Costa, Francisco Vieira Lusitano, poeia e abridor de águas-fortes, Imprensa da Universidade, 1929
- Luísa Arruda and José Alberto Seabra Carvalho, Vieira Lusitano, 1699-1783, o desenho: Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, 18 maio - 2 julho 2000 (exhibition catalog), Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, 2000, ISBN 972-7760-49-X
External links
- Works by Vieira @ the National Library of Portugal
- Scholarly articles in English about Francisco Vieira de Matos, known as Vieira Lusitano both in web and PDF @ the Spanish Old Masters Gallery