See her shoes and her pug which barks at you on the audio at the National Gallery of Art/Detail of The Marquesa de Pontejos, c. 1786 by Francisco de Goya, National Gallery of Art, Washington
Francisco de Goya (1746-1828) of Spain was the artist who painted the Marquesa (1762-1834) when she was 24. Likely it was for an engagement portrait for her first marriage to the nobleman Francisco de Monino y Redondo, the Spanish ambassador to Portugal. (Twenty-four seems rather old for a woman's first engagement for that time period and even, "old" centuries later. If this is her engagement gown, imagine her wedding apparel.)
After her husband's death in 1808 the Marquesa married a royal bodyguard, Don Fernando de Silva y Meneses, who died in 1817 before her last marriage in the same year to her most famous husband, Joaquín Pérez Vizcaino y Moles (1790-1840 and 30 years younger than the Marquesa!).
Joaquin joined forces with the militia to oppose King Ferdinand VII, which forced the couple to flee and spend 11 years traveling throughout Europe (mostly in France) before they returned to their native country.*
The Marquesa de Pontejos, c. 1786 by Francisco de Goya presides in a prominent gallery at the National Gallery of Art, Washington/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The Marquesa de Pontejos, c. 1786 by Francisco de Goya, National Gallery of Art, Washington/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Finding their way at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, overseen by The Marquesa de Pontejos, c. 1786 by Francisco de Goya/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The wonder of The Marquesa de Pontejos, c. 1786 by Francisco de Goya, National Gallery of Art, Washington/Photo by Patricia LeslieWonder times two at The Marquesa de Pontejos, c. 1786 by Francisco de Goya, National Gallery of Art, Washington/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The Marquesa de Pontejos, c. 1786 by Francisco de Goya, National Gallery of Art, Washington/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Notes from art historians mention the Marquesa's tiny waist which was likely made possible by heavy corseting.
Look at it. Possible? Do you suppose artists then, as they do now, use their artistic license to remove pounds and lines? Especially for commissioned pieces?
She stood for him in the uncomfortable gear and look at her shoes! Ouch!
Hear the NGA audio about the painting in several difference languages.
*From Jonathan Brown and Richard G. Mann, Spanish Paintings of the Fifteenth through Nineteenth Centuries, National Gallery of Art, 1990
Who: The Marquesa de Pontejos
What: by Franciso de Goya
When: c. 1786
What time: Under normal circumstances, the National Gallery is open seven days a week, but given these unnormal circumstances, please check the website.
Metro stations for the National Gallery of Art:
Smithsonian, Federal Triangle, Navy Memorial-Archives, or L'Enfant Plaza
For more information: 202-737-4215
How much: Admission to the National Gallery is always free.
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