The Family of Philip, Duke of Parma
by BALDRIGHI, Giuseppe, Oil on canvas
Philip of Spain (1720-1765) was Duke of Parma from 1748 to 1765. He founded the House of Bourbon-Parma, a cadet line of the Spanish branch of the dynasty. He was a son-in-law of Louis XV.
The present group portrait shows the Duke and his wife Louise Elisabeth of France with their daughter Isabella of Parma (later wife of Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor), and their younger children Ferdinand, the later Ferdinand I of Parma and Maria Luisa (later Queen of Spain).
The girl is keeping her brother’s miniature sword away from him. Portrayed in profile on the right is the children’s gouvernante, Marie Catherine de Bassecourt.