# Charles III Dining before the Court [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [PARET Y ALCAZÁR, Luis]() - Date: 1751-1800 - Technique: Oil on wood, 50 x 64 cm ## Commentary Charles III Dining before the Court c. 1788 Oil on wood, 50 x 64 cm Museo del Prado, Madrid Paret contributed to the restoration of the thematic element to its former importance, infusing it with new vitality by cultivating popular themes, scenes of everyday life set amid conventionally bucolic landscapes, in which, however, there are signs of a return to naturalism, as illustrated by this painting. Charles III \(1716-88\) was king of Spain \(1759-88\) and of Naples and Sicily \(1735-59\). He was the son of Philip V and Elizabeth Farnese. Spain prospered under the rule of Charles, who is regarded as the greatest Bourbon king of Spain and one of the 'enlightened despots.' His reign is noted for economic and administrative reforms and for the expulsion of the Jesuits \(1767\). He was succeeded by his son Charles IV. ## Related artworks - [Elegant Company Preparing for a Masked Ball]() - [Maria de las Nieves Micaela Fourdinier]() - [Portrait of a Lady with Her Infant Child \(detail\)]() - [Portrait of a Lady with Her Infant Child]() - [Self-Portrait in the Studio]() - [Still-Life with Fruit]() - [View of El Arenal in Bilbao]() - [Village Scene and View of Fuenterrabia]() - [Virgin and Child with St James the Great]() - [Zebra]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()