José Luzán

Thanks to the patronage of the Pignatelli family, Luzán studied in Naples, where he met the Italian Baroque master Giuseppe Mastroleo.

He was named reviewer of paintings by the Spanish Inquisition and in 1741 was appointed by Philip V of Spain as supernumerary painter of the Royal House.

Following on from the gloomy tone of his early works, he acquired a taste for warm coloring, dominating with the yellow, ochre and red in his palette, and lightened the burden of his brushstrokes.

In the 1760s, he executed large works and bold compositions, which made clear his status as one of the most gifted eighteenth century painters of religious subjects.

[2][3] Luzán left Madrid to direct the Academy of Painting and Sculpture in Zaragoza, if only briefly, as the institution went through severe financial difficulties and had to close.