MENGS ANTON RAPHAEL: (1728-1779) German Painter. In 1754, at the early age of 26, he was ...

MENGS ANTON RAPHAEL: (1728-1779) German Painter. In 1754, at the early age of 26, he was appointed Director of the Vatican painting school. Mengs became one of the precursors to Neoclassical painting which replaced Rococo as the dominant painting style in Europe in the second half of the 18th century. Rare A.L.S., `Antonio Rafaele Mengs´, one page, small 4to, Madrid, 19th August 1776, to a Roman correspondent, in Italian. A cleanly written letter by Mengs, stating in part `Le ringrazio infinitamente della memoria che ha di me, solamente mi dispiace non poterle mostrare la mia gratitudine con inpiegarmi in cosa che le fosse di alcuna utilita, non ostante le assicuro che non perdero di vista ogni favorevole occasione di poterle servire a V. S.´ (Translation: "I thank you infinitely for the memory you have of me, I only regret not being able to show my gratitude by engaging in something that would be of any use to you, nevertheless I assure you that I will not lose sight of every favorable opportunity to be able to serve Your Excellency") Further, Mengs refers to his prompt return to Rome and to the King´s aproval of this trip which he is waiting for, saying `Spero fra poche mesi torniare a Roma, ben che ancora non ho la licenza per dispacio, ma spero che S.M. non retirera la Sua Real Parola...´ (Translation: "I hope to return to Rome in a few months, although I still don't have the license due to dispatch, but I hope that His Majesty will not withdraw His Royal Word...") Before concluding Mengs sends his regards to several personalities as well as to his Roman benefactor and relatives, stating in part `Se acaso havesse occasione di vedere S. E. il Sign Cardinale Archinto la prego porgerle li miei Osequiosi Complimenti, come ancora al Sign. Marquese Coligola...´ (Translation: "If by chance you have the opportunity to see His Excellency Cardinal Archinto, I beg you to extend my obsequious compliments, as also to Marquis Coligola...") Small overall creasing, otherwiseabout VG

Charles III of Spain (1716-1788) King of Spain 1759-88 as King Charles III, previously King Charles VII of Naples and Sicily 1734-59. Charles resided in Naples for nineteen years and gained valuable experience as Ruler before becoming King of the Spanish Empire. Charles III is widely regarded as the most successful European ruler of his generation.

Giovanni Archinto (1736-1779) Italian Cardinal, nephew of Cardinal Alberico Archinto (1698-1758).

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Although Mengs spent most of his life in Rome, on two occasions he accepted invitations from Charles III, King of Spain, to go to Madird. First in 1761 when he produced some of his best work, most notably the ceiling of the banqueting hall of the Royal Palace of Madrid. After the completion of this work in 1777, Mengs returned to Rome, where he died two years later, in poor circumstances, leaving twenty children, seven of whom were pensioned by the King of Spain