A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Rosalba, Carriera
ROSALBA, CARRIERA,
Was born in 1676, at Chiozza, near Venice; and was instructed by Giovanni Diamentini, from whom she learned design, and also the art of painting in oil. In that kind of colouring, she copied several of the best masters; but at last applied herself to miniature with extraordinary diligence, being ambitious to arrive at such a degree of perfection In it as might enable her to contribute to the support of her parents. She succeeded to her wish; but after practising miniature-painting with great reputation, she quitted it for crayons, which art she carried to a degree of perfection that few artists have ever been able to attain. In 1709, Frederic the Fourth, King of Denmark, passing through Venice, sat to Rosalba for his portrait, of which, by his order, she made several copies, very highly finished. Soon after, the same monarch employed her to paint twelve portraits of Venetian ladies, which she performed so much to his satisfaction, that he showed her particular marks of his favour, and, besides gifts of great value, paid her with a truly royal munificence. She visited France in company with Pelligrini, who had married her sister; and at Paris had the honour to paint the royal family, with most of the nobility, and other persons of distinction. During her residence there, she was admitted into the academy, to which she presented a picture of one of the muses. On her return to Venice, she continued her profession until she was seventy, when, by incessant application, she lost her sight. She died in 1757. The portraits of Rosalba are full of life and spirit, exceedingly natural, with an agreeable resemblance to the persons represented. Her colouring is soft, tender, and delicate; her tints clear and well united; and she generally gave a graceful torn to the heads, especially to those of her female figures.