Mengs Saved Royal Nudes from Destruction

In 1762, King Carlos III issued a fulminant order to burn all paintings in the Royal Collections that displayed nudity. This mandate threatened some of the finest works in art history, many of which are currently exhibited at the Museo del Prado.

The intervention of painter Alejandro de la Cruz saved these masterpieces. De la Cruz, a disciple of Antonio Rafael Mengs, revealed in 1795 that his master had convinced the King to revoke the order. Mengs, a painter of immense reputation active in Italy, successfully altered the destiny of these controversial pieces.

The mandate from the Spanish monarch was absolute. Carlos III demanded the immediate destruction of any artwork in the Royal Collections featuring nude figures. This directive, issued in 1762, placed a significant portion of the royal art heritage at risk of being lost forever.

The scope of the order was extensive. It included some of the most celebrated works of the era, pieces that today form a core part of the Museo del Prado collection. The intention was to purge the collection of imagery deemed inappropriate, regardless of the artistic value of the works.

Despite the severity of the 1762 order, the destruction did not occur immediately. The paintings remained in danger for thirty years until the artist Alejandro de la Cruz spoke out. In 1795, de la Cruz provided the account of how the crisis was averted.

De la Cruz credited his teacher, Antonio Rafael Mengs, with saving the collection. Mengs, a painter of the highest reputation who was active in Italy, personally approached the King. Through his influence, Mengs managed to convince Carlos III to reverse his own decree.

The survival of these nudes is a pivotal moment in the history of the Royal Collections. Without the intervention of Mengs, the art world would have lost invaluable works that are now central to the Museo del Prado's identity.

The Museo del Prado is currently honoring this history with a major exhibition dedicated to Antonio Rafael Mengs. The retrospective, which runs until March 1, explores the artist's career and his lasting impact on Spanish art.