Francisco Preciado de la Vega was a Spanish painter and author. After studying philosophy and theology, he began training as a painter in Seville. In 1732, he went to Rome hoping to find a clerical employment. In 1739, he won the Concorso Clemetino, a prestigious Roman art prize. In 1740, he received a scholarship from the Spanish king and was thus able to extend his stay in Rome. Preciado was elected a member of the Accademia di San Luca in 1749. Between 1744 and 1750, he designed festive architecture on behalf of the Neapolitan ambassador in Rome. In 1760, the Spanish ambassador in Rome wrote a letter of recommendation for Preciado's application as painter of the chamber of the Spanish king. The application was successful and in 1763, Preciado became King Ferdinand VI's painter of the chamber and director of the Spanish Academy in Rome. Preciado kept the post of director until the end of his life and rarely left Rome. He executed the paintings for the Spanish court in Rome and then had them transported to Spain. Preciado mainly painted religious subjects with detailed architecture and strong chiaroscuro, as well as portraits.