About the artist
Born in the heart of Florence, Italy in 1760 to British parents, Maria Louisa Catherine Cecilia Hadfield was schooled in a convent where her artistic prowess was spotted early. Her artistic journey led her to study both in her native Italy and England. By 19, she had won a place in Florence's prestigious Academy of Fine Arts. A turning point came in 1796 when she lost her young daughter. She sought solace in working for the Louvre for two years, after which she and Cardinal Joseph Fesch established a college for young women in Lyons. Maria managed the college from 1803 until its closure in 1809. Subsequently, she responded to an invite from Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Duke of Lodi, to set up a convent school for girls in Italy. She died in Lodi in 1838, leaving behind a legacy of a school she founded, which still stands today. A testament to her impact, the town honored her with a commemorative bust.
