A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Carriera, (Rosalba)
CARRIERA, (ROSALBA) a Venetian Fainter in Crayons and Miniature, Died at Venice, 1757, or 1761, aged 85.
From her residence in France, is ranked with the painters of that kingdom. She is thus mentioned in the Letters on the French Nation. Rosalba, "At present better known than any of the preceding. What pity that her pieces should not be everlasting! The finest piece in Crayons, that ever issued from mortal hands, is the Venus in M. Pompadour's collection. The piece she drew for her reception into the French academy, in 1720, was a woman holding a crown of laurels, most elegantly done. Rosalba being attached to crayons and miniatures, carried them to so high a degree of merit, that she has seldom been equalled, never surpassed—extreme correctness, and most profound knowledge of design, not being so absolutely essential in those kinds as in history; she attained the end she proposed by the beauty of her colours, the purity and freshness of the tones, and the harmonious delicacy of her touch. The grace as well as the largeness of her manner equals that of the greatest masters." She was born at Venice in 1678, and learnt design of the Chevalier Diamantini, whom she soon surpassed, and acquired so great a reputation, that all the academies in Europe were eager to admit her as one of their members. She was passionately fond of music; played in a superior style on the harpsichord, and travelled into France and Germany. She is said also to have had a genius for poetry. Her merit procured her riches. She chiefly painted portraits, and spent the last twenty years of her life in her native country.