The artwork, titled “Portrait of Don Francisco de Borja Tellez Giron,” is an oil on canvas painting by Francisco Goya, dated around 1816. Belonging to the Romanticism art movement, it features impressive dimensions of 140 x 202 cm. As a portrait, the artwork captures the essence of its subject with profound representation. This significant piece resides in the Musée Bonnat in Bayonne, France.
The artwork depicts Don Francisco de Borja Tellez Giron, standing with a commanding presence. He holds a letter in one hand, suggesting the importance of communication or contemplation of the correspondence he is reading. His attire is of high quality, indicating his status, and the meticulous attention to detail in his vestments alludes to the sartorial norms of his time. The background features a nuanced landscape, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere appropriate to the Romantic era’s focus on emotion and the sublime. The inclusion of the horse and the figure in the backdrop provides context and adds to the narrative of the portrait, implying a journey or a break from travel. The work as a whole is characteristic of Goya’s skilled portraiture, capturing both the personality and social status of the sitter with dramatic effect and psychological insight.
