Art

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1996.91.1_1b.jpg (36170 bytes)José Campeche
Don José Mas Ferrer
about 1795
oil
21 1/4 x 16 3/8 in.
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection



Although Campeche never left the island of Puerto Rico, he became the most notable Caribbean painter of the eighteenth century and received commissions from throughout the region. He painted this portrait, which shows Mas Ferrer dressed in the uniform of the Royal Exchequer, for the government of Spain. Standing in an elegant interior, Mas Ferrer is presented as a man of influence. The letter on the floor addressed "To the gentleman José Mas Ferrer, Auditor Elect of the Province and City of Popayán" indicates his prestigious appointment as overseer of the tobacco trade between Popayán (now Colombia) and Holland.



Aunque Campeche nunca salió de Puerto Rico, llegó a ser el pintor caribe más destacado del siglo XVIII y recibió encargos de todas partes de la región. Pintó este retrato de Mas Ferrer con uniforme de contador general para el gobierno de Espańa. De pie, en un elegante interior, Mas Ferrer se nos muestra como personaje influyente. La carta que vemos en el suelo, dirigida a "Don José Mas Ferrer, contador electo de la provincia y ciudad de Popayán" indica su prestigioso nombramiento de supervisor del comercio del tabaco entre Popayán (la actual Colombia) y Holanda.

 

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Revised: January 17, 2002
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