Brief Biography-Mariano Salvador de Maella of Valencia, whose father, Mariano, was an artist, gave him his initial tuition. His first formal studies were with Felipe de Castro in Madrid before enrolling in the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, where Antonio González Velázquez influenced him. Mariano later married Antonio’s daughter and had a strong influence on the works of Antonio’s son, Zacarías. He went to Rome and America before settling back in Madrid in 1764. Alongside Anton Raphael Mengs, he worked at the Palacio Real de Madrid and undertook commissions on several palaces, including the Palacio de El Escorial. One of his many tasks was supervising at the Tapestry Factory of Santa Bárbara. He eventually became director-general of the Academia, succeeding Francisco Bayeu y Subias and was elevated to the painter of the King’s Chamber in 1774. However, his choice of allegiance to the new King José led to his downfall when King Fernando VII regained the throne. He was discharged from the court and replaced by his student Vicente López Portaña.