María Josefa de la Soledad, 9th Duchess of Osuna
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Doña María Josefa Alonso Pimentel de la Soledad, 9th Duchess of Osuna (es: Doña María Josefa Alonso Pimentel de la Soledad, novena duquesa de Osuna) was a patron of artists, writers and scientists. She was born as Countess of Benavente and married Pedro de Álcantara Téllez-Girón, 9th Duke of Osuna in 1771. The couple had many children.
According to contemporary reports, she was a woman of keen intelligence, beauty, elegance and poise, who also played an important role in Spanish society and did great charitable works. The emancipated duchess held one of the most important literary salons in Madrid, making her an incarnation of the late 18th century illuminated aristocrat of the Age of Enlightenment.
In her and her husband, the painter Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes found reliable supporters who distinguished themselves by their progressive taste. The duchess not only purchased one of the first editions of Los Caprichos but most likely also commissioned two series of cabinet paintings from Goya, amongst them El aquelarre.
In the famous portrait by Goya, she is seen standing with noble reserve. The Duchess of Osuna turns towards the viewer. Her clothes are in keeping with the fashion initiated by Queen Marie Antoinette in Paris at that time.
In another famous painting by Goya, the ducal family is portrayed. In the large painting, Goya succeeded in perceiving the soul of his subjects with great skill and wisdom. In this serene group the bonhomie of the duke, the duchess’s intelligence and the subtly differentiated innocence of their four children was captured by the artist.
One of her children was Joaquina Téllez-Girón, Marchioness of Santa Cruz, who was also portrayed by Goya.
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