Chiara Spinelli
Italian artist (1744–1823) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chiara Spinelli (1744-1823),[1] later the Princess of Belmonte, was an Italian noblewoman and artist, especially noted as a pastellist.[2]
Spinelli was born in Naples, the daughter of Troiano, the ninth Duke of Laurino, who also published in philosophy.[1] In 1762 she married Antonio Francesco Pignatelli, the prince of Belmonte, becoming his second wife.[3] He died in 1794.[4] She was also the mistress of Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies.
She took part in the revolution which led to the creation of the Parthenopean Republic in 1799; at its collapse she was exiled to France.[5] Even after her exile she remained involved in political intrigue, and was noted by French police as one of the Neapolitan exiles who were part of a conspiracy plotting to invade and overtake Naples.[6]
A self-portrait by Spinelli is held in the collection of the Uffizi in Florence; it was originally displayed alongside those of Irene Parenti Duclos and Anna Borghigiani.[7]
Spinelli was also an active patron of arts and literature; she hosted a salon, and sponsored composers such as Niccolo Piccinni. [8]