Collection

Don Juan Lorenzo Gutiérrez Altamirano de Velasco y Flores, Count of Santiago de Calimaya

Mariano Guerrero

1 of 2

Object Label

Military service was one of the most effective means by which American-born colonials (known as Creoles), who were barred from the highest civic and ecclesiastical offices, could secure elite status within the imperial system. Don Juan Lorenzo, captain in the viceregal palace guard, was among New Spain’s highest-ranking Creoles, and he signaled his coveted ties to the Madrid court in this full-length portrait, displayed at his home. Here, a gold key protruding from his coat pocket symbolizes his appointment as Gentleman of the Royal Chamber of His Majesty.

Caption

Mariano Guerrero (Mexican, active late 18th century). Don Juan Lorenzo Gutiérrez Altamirano de Velasco y Flores, Count of Santiago de Calimaya, ca. 1790. Oil on canvas, 73 1/2 x 38 1/2 in. (186.7 x 97.8 cm) frame: 83 x 49 1/4 x 4 in. (210.8 x 125.1 x 10.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund and Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 52.166.2. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Don Juan Lorenzo Gutiérrez Altamirano de Velasco y Flores, Count of Santiago de Calimaya

Date

ca. 1790

Geography

Place made: Mexico

Medium

Oil on canvas

Classification

Painting

Dimensions

73 1/2 x 38 1/2 in. (186.7 x 97.8 cm) frame: 83 x 49 1/4 x 4 in. (210.8 x 125.1 x 10.2 cm)

Signatures

Signed lower left at bottom of cartouche: "Mariannus Guerrero fecit."

Inscriptions

Inscribed on cartouche at left: "El Sr. Dn./Juan Lorenzo,/Gutierrez Altam[ir]ano d./Velasco y Flores, Cas[t]illa, Al=/bornós, Lopez Legaspi, Or=/[t]iz de Oraa, Gorraez, Bea=/ mont; y Navarra Luna de/Arellano: Conde de Santi=ago/[C]alimaya, Marqués de Sali=nas/[d]el Rio Pizuerga/Marqués de [S]alvatierra, Señor de las Ca=/[s]as Villas de Verninches, y Azu=/[q]uilla de Romancos, y de Azu=/quequa de Nares, Adelantado/[P]erpetuo de las Yslas Filipinas,/[C]oronel de los Reales Exerci=/os de su Magistad, Catolica,/de las Milicias Provinciales de/[M]éxico; Cavallero Pensionado de/[l]a distinguida Real Orden Espa=[n]ola de Carlos III, y Cavallero/[M]aestrante del Real y Noble Cu=/erpo de la Ciudad de Ronda &c./[M]urió dia nueve de Octubre/del año de mil setecientos no=/venta y tres, à los sesenta/años dos meses de edad." "Requiescat in paze Amen./Gentil Hombre de la real/Camara de su Magestad/con Entrada." Note: bracketed letters are either obscured by subject hand or walking stick or are obscured by the left edge of the canvas or frame.

Credit Line

Museum Collection Fund and Dick S. Ramsay Fund

Accession Number

52.166.2

Frequent Art Questions

  • Hi! What can you tell me about this fellow?

    This is Don Juan Lorenzo Gutierrez Altamirano Velasco, who was a colonel in the Spanish Army. The shield by his right hand on the left side of the picture gives his titles and dates. Also, the gold key protruding from his coat pocket symbolizes his appointment as Gentleman of the Royal Chamber of His Majesty.
    There is another painting, also on the 5th floor, that shows George Washington in a very similar pose. I encourage you to check it out! This was a popular pose for portraits of men painted in the 18th century.
    We found the Washington, thank you!

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Artists and makers

Mariano Guerrero

1 work in the collection