José Campeche
Don José Mas Ferrer
about 1795
oil
21 1/4 x 16 3/8 in.
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection 
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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.
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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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