The Family of Philip V (1723) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Family of Felipe V
Artist	Jean Ranc
Year	1723
Medium	Oil on canvas
Dimensions	44 cm × 65 cm (17 in × 26 in)
Location	Museo del Prado, Madrid

The Family of Felipe V is a famous oil painting created in 1723 by a French artist named Jean Ranc. It shows Philip V of Spain and his family. This painting is one of three artworks with the same name. The other two were painted later, in 1738 and 1743, by a different artist, Louis Michel van Loo.

Who was Jean Ranc, the artist?

Jean Ranc was a French painter who was very good at painting portraits of people. He learned to paint from his father, Antoine Ranc, and his father's student, Hyacinthe Rigaud. Jean Ranc worked for important royal families, including Louis XV of France and Philip V of Spain.

He started working for the Spanish royal family in 1723. He painted King Felipe V and his eight children who were still alive at that time. Later, another artist, Louis Michel van Loo, took over as the royal painter. Van Loo painted the Spanish royal family in 1738 and again in 1743.

What does the painting show?

Ranc's 1723 painting of Felipe V of Spain shows five of his oldest children. King Felipe V is sitting between his two oldest sons. These sons were Infante Luis, Prince of Asturias and Infante Fernando. They were from his first marriage to Maria Luisa of Savoy.

Felipe V's first wife passed away in 1714. He then married Isabel Farnese later that same year. She was the mother of the other three children shown in the painting.

• Infante Felipe, who later became the Duke of Parma, was three years old when the painting was made. He stands between his parents and holds a yellow flower.
• A small oval painting shows Infanta Mariana Victoria. She was engaged to Louis XV of France and was living in France at the time.
• To the right of the painting is Infante Carlos, who would later become the King of Spain.

Infante Fernando, painted by Jean Ranc

The background of the painting shows a large room. It looks a lot like the famous Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. Interestingly, Felipe V was born at Versailles in 1683. You can also see some household staff doing their daily tasks in the background. Far away, there is a monk. This might be a hint about Felipe V's strong religious beliefs, which he had his whole life.

All the men in the painting are wearing blue sashes. These sashes belong to the Order of the Holy Spirit, a special group. Infante Fernando, who is standing over a dog in this painting, was also painted by Ranc in a separate portrait. That painting is also kept at the Prado Museum.

Who are the people in the painting?

Here are the important people shown in the painting:

1. King Felipe V (1683-1746): He was the King of Spain.
2. Infante Luis of Spain, Prince of Asturias (1707-1724): He was Felipe V's oldest son and was set to become King of Spain after his father.
3. Infante Fernando of Spain (1713-1759): He also became a King of Spain later.
4. Isabel Farnesio (1692-1766): She was the Queen of Spain and Felipe V's second wife.
5. Infante Carlos of Spain (1716-1788): He became a King of Spain later.
6. Infanta Mariana Victoria of Spain (1718-1781): She was engaged to Louis XV of France and later became the Queen of Portugal.
7. Infante Felipe of Spain (1720-1765): He later became the Duke of Parma.

See also

In Spanish: La familia de Felipe V (Ranc) para niños