Collections: European Art: Don Juan Xavier Joachín Gutiérrez Altamirano Velasco

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Don Juan Xavier Joachín Gutiérrez Altamirano Velasco

With a coat of arms in the upper left and a plaque of titles in the bottom left, this portrait places Don Juan Joachín (1711–1752) within a lineage of intrepid explorers and powerful aristocrats who vanquished and ruled colonial territories for the Spanish crown. As sixth Count of Santiago de Calimaya, Don Juan Joachín inherited the ceremonial governorship of the Philippines as well as posts in the Church.

An image of the moment as well as a testament to a familial and imperial heritage, the count wears the fashionable French style adopted after the Bourbon ascent to the Spanish throne: a long-tailed brocade coat with turned-up sleeves that match the floral pattern of his chupa, or waistcoat; knee breeches; scarlet stockings; and long-tongued, silver-buckled shoes. With his gloves in his left hand, he holds a sundial or a compass in his right, while casting an imperious look down his long nose.


• Artist: Miguel Cabrera, Mexican, 1695-1768
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Place Made: Mexico
• Dates: ca. 1752
• Dimensions: 81 5/16 x 53 1/2 in. (206.5 x 135.9 cm) Frame: 98 1/2 x 66 1/2 in. (250.2 x 168.9 cm)
• Signature: Signed lower left (under shield): " Michl Cabrera pinxit"
• Inscriptions: Inscribed lower left on cartouche: "El Sr. Dn. Juan Xa-/vier Joachin Gu-/tierrez Altamirano Velas/co, y Castilla Albornos,Lo-/pez Legaspy Ortiz de Oraa/Gorraez Beaumont, y Nava-/rra,Luna de Arellano,Cõde/de Santiago Calimaya, Mar-/ques de Salinas del Rio Pi-/zuerga,Sr. de las Casas d Cas/tilla, y Soza, y delas Villas de/Verninches,y Azequilla,de Ro-/mancos,y de Azuquequa d Na-/res, Cavallero del Sacro Romano/Imperio, por mro. del Sr. Emperador Car-/los quinto Adelãtado perpetuo dlas Islas/Philipinas, Contador d S.Mag.d y del Rl./y App.co Tribl. dela Sta. Cruzada; muriõ/el dia 17 de Junio de 1752, de Edad./de 41as.y 2 meses"
• Collections: European Art
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Elevator Lobby, 3rd Floor
• Accession Number: 52.166.1
• Credit Line: Museum Collection Fund and the Dick S. Ramsay Fund
• Image: Framed, 52.166.1_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Miguel Cabrera (Mexican, 1695-1768). Don Juan Xavier Joachín Gutiérrez Altamirano Velasco, ca. 1752. Oil on canvas, 81 5/16 x 53 1/2 in. (206.5 x 135.9 cm) Frame: 98 1/2 x 66 1/2 in. (250.2 x 168.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund and the Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 52.166.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 52.166.1_SL1.jpg)