Bidspirit auction | New Spain School of the

New Spain School of the 18th century - Pair of alleged portraits of Charles III and Maria Amalia of Saxony - Oil on oval canvas. This pair of portraits, produced in the 18th-century New Spain School, depicts the presumed monarchs Charles III and Maria Amalia of Saxony in a setting that emphasises both the royal majesty and the refinement of their time. In the female portrait, Maria Amalia appears seated, with an elegant bearing, dressed in a wide green dress decorated with golden floral motifs that highlight the splendour and wealth associated with royalty. The crown, placed on a pedestal to her left, symbolises her position as sovereign, while the background features a cloudy sky that adds depth and a solemn air to the composition. The chromatic palette stands out for the harmony between the warm tones of gold and red that contrast with the predominant green, transmitting a sense of visual balance. In the male portrait, Charles III is depicted with a serious and determined look, dressed in a blue uniform with gold embroidery and a red cloak that reinforce his status as a monarch. The cross of a dynastic order that he wears on his chest reinforces his authority and connection with the tradition of the European royal houses. The treatment of the face, more austere and precise, reflects an intention to transmit character and authority, in contrast with the delicacy of the details of the suit. Both works stand out for the precision in the representation of the fabrics and the use of soft lights that model the faces and hands, characteristic elements of the New Spanish portrait, which combined European Baroque influences with a particular focus on color and ornamentation. These pieces reflect New Spain's admiration for European royalty, projecting the monarchs with a combination of majesty and closeness, while showing the high technical and artistic level of the colonial workshops of the 18th century. Measurements: 104 x 84 (without frame), 120 x 93 (with frame)