Portrait of José Antonio Caballero, Second Marqués de Caballero, Secretary of Grace and Justice
Maker
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes
(Spanish, 1746-1828)
Collections
ClassificationsPAINTINGS
Date1807
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionscanvas: 41 5/16 × 33 1/8 in. (105 × 84.1 cm.)
frame: 53 1/16 × 44 7/8 × 4 1/4 in. (134.8 × 114 × 10.8 cm.)
DescriptionIn this official portrait of the Spanish government member José Antonio Caballero (1754–1821), Goya presents his sitter against a dark, shadowed background, as a man proud of his stature and rank, wearing his highly decorated ministerial uniform.
Signedsigned and dated on the paper held by the sitter: Goya 1807
Inscribedinscribed on the paper held by the sitter: Exmo Sor / Marqués de / Caballero / Mintro de Grz y Just.
Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Gift of The Ahmanson Foundation.
Status
On viewthe small, oval badge of the military Order of Santiago. As a portraitist, Goya drew patronage from across the political spectrum, including members of the Spanish aristocracy and royal family. While he opposed many of the conservative policies of sitters like Caballero, he nevertheless aimed to satisfy his client’s interests by
lavishing painterly attention and expressive brushwork on the network of glittering badges, medals, and lace that make up his costume.
Object number2023.18
William Blake
ca. 1826-1827
Object number: 000.33
Bernard Molitor
secretary: 1812-1816; plaques: center:1783, left:1774, right:1777
Object number: 27.22
