Portrait of Don Francisco José Pérez de Lanciego y Eguilaz
- Juan Rodríquez Juárez, Mexican, 1675-1728
- Born: Mexico City, Mexico
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.
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
- “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