Mariana de Silva-Bazán y Sarmiento

Mariana de Silva-Bazán y Sarmiento, also known as Mariana de Silva-Meneses and Sarmiento de Sotomayor, (Madrid, 14 October 1739 - Madrid, 17 January 1784), was an 18th-century Spanish aristocrat, writer, painter, and translator. She is remembered for being a curious example of ambidexterity, being able to write and paint with both hands. She was an academic at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, serving also as honorary director.

Early life Mariana was born in Madrid on October 14, 1739. She was the daughter of Pedro de Silva-Bazán y Alagón, VIII VIII Marquis of Santa Cruz de Mudela, VII Marquis of Villasor, VIII Marquis of Viso, VI Count of Bayona, V Count of Montesano, X Baron of Sant Boi and Lord of Valdepeñas and de María Cayetana Sarmiento y Dávila, IV Marquis de Arcicóllar and VI Countess of Pie de Concha. She was also a member of the Imperial Academy of Arts of Saint Petersburg.