Portrait of Don Francisco José Pérez de Lanciego y Eguilaz

Portrait of Don Francisco José Pérez de Lanciego y Eguilaz

1714
Artist
Juan Rodríquez Juárez, Mexican, 1675-1728
Born: Mexico City, Mexico
Country
Mexico
Object
painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Accession Number
2013.350
Credit Line
Gift of the Collection of Frederick and Jan Mayer

Juan Rodríquez Juárez, Portrait of Don Francisco José Pérez de Lanciego y Eguilaz, 1714. Oil paint on canvas; Framed 7 ft. 1¾ in. × 53⅜ × 2¼ in. Gift of the Collection of Frederick and Jan Mayer, 2013.350.

Dimensions
frame height: 85 3/4 in, 217.8050 cm; frame width: 53 3/8 in, 135.5725 cm; frame depth: 2 1/4 in, 5.7150 cm
Inscription
Signed, lower right "Joannes Rodriguez Xuarez F"
Department
Mayer Center, Latin American Art
Collection
Latin American Art

Descended from a long line of artists in colonial Mexico, Juan Rodríguez Juárez was the most accomplished artist of his day. His great grandfather, Luis Juárez, founded the family dynasty of painters in the early 17th century. In addition, Juan's grandfather, father and brother were also well known artists. Signed by the artist, this painting joins others in the Denver Art Museum collection signed by his great grandfather, Luis Juárez, and by Juan's brother, Nicolás.
     In addition to being a very individualized portrait of the Archbishop of Mexico this painting illustrates the wealth of the church and showcases symbols associated with the sitters role in the church. The cleric wears a gold necklace with a cross, possibly set with stones, and luxurious vestments. In front of him is a gold and silver processional crucifix and on the table to his right is a miter hat, which indicates his rank in the Catholic church. The archbishop is shown with his nephew, pulling back the green velvet curtain, who accompanied him when traveling from Spain to Mexico. The cartouche in the lower left corner tells us information about about the Archbishop.
--Julie Wilson Frick, 2017
 

Known Provenance
Private collection, Spain; (Simois Gestion de Arte), Madrid, Spain, by Frederick and Jan Mayer, Denver, CO, by March 2003; Purchased by Frederick R. [1928-2007] and Jan Mayer, Denver, CO, March 25, 2003; Gifted to the Denver Art Museum, 2013
Exhibition History
  • “ReVision: Art in the Americas” — Denver Art Museum, 10/24/2021 – 7/17/2022
  • ReVision: Art in the Americas, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN, 7/1/23 - 9/17/23