Pier Leone Ghezzi

22 dicembre 1702

Born

1725

From Geneva to Paris, to Massé’s workshop

After studying with the miniature painter Daniel Gardelle for only about four months — learning enamel and miniature painting and already producing several portraits that showed his talent — he leaves for Paris in 1725.

1735

Travels to Rome with the French ambassador

In 1735 he travels with Louis Philogène Brûlart, the French ambassador to Naples and Rome, and in Rome paints the portraits of Pope Clement XII and several cardinals. One can say that his career as a pastellist began in Italy; the Paris Academy’s rejection of his historical works in oil paint may also have sent him back to his familiar medium.

1738

Accompanies Lord Duncannon to Constantinople

In 1738 he accompanies Lord Duncannon to Constantinople, where he works for the next four years.

1738–1742

Four years in Constantinople: “the Turkish painter”

During his stay in Istanbul he paints numerous pastels of Turkish domestic scenes. He kept wearing Turkish dress long after returning to Europe, which earned him the nickname “the Turkish painter”, and many travellers, as well as many who had never left Europe, including Madame de Pompadour, had themselves painted by him in exotic Eastern dress.

1745

Algarotti acquires “The Chocolate Girl” for Dresden

In 1745 his genre portrait “The Chocolate Girl” is acquired by the Venice-based art dealer Francesco Algarotti for the Dresden pastel cabinet.