Francesco Liani

1712–1770

Francesco Liani was an Italian painter, mainly known for his portraits of the Neapolitan royal family. Born in Borgo San Donnino (now known as Fidenza), he moved to Naples in 1740 as part of the court of Charles of Bourbon (the future Charles III of Spain), for whom he produced equestrian portraits of himself and his wife. He also produced Portrait of Ferdinand IV of Bourbon (1766, Royal Museum Copenhagen) and Portrait of Ferdinand IV in Armour (National Museum of Capodimonte, Naples) for him. He also painted several noble families from Naples, including the De Sangro (part of the line of marquesses of San Lucido and dukes of Sangro). He died in Naples.