Following the exploration of the decisive role played by women from Europe’s royal houses in the 16th and 17th centuries, the third edition of The female perspective turns to the 18th century to examine the legacy of one of the most influential artistic patrons in the formation of the Museo del Prado’s collections: Queen Isabella Farnese (1692–1766). A pivotal figure in both politics and collecting, Isabella Farnese profoundly shaped the cultural landscape of 18th-century Europe.

Her collection — nearly a thousand paintings, of which more than a third now form a core part of the Prado’s holdings — stands among the most distinguished of her time. These 350 masterpieces include works by Velázquez, Ribera, Murillo, Correggio, Rubens, Reni, Van Dyck, Bruegel the Elder, Clara Peeters, Teniers, and Watteau, among others, as well as an exceptional group of classical sculptures acquired after the death of Queen Christina of Sweden, shared with King Philip V.

Guided by a cultivated eye and a strong personal vision, Isabella Farnese’s patronage left an enduring imprint on the royal collections. This edition of The female perspective is dedicated entirely to her, with the aim of recovering, studying, and celebrating her extraordinary artistic legacy.