Don José Moñino y Redondo, Conde de Floridablanca
Pompeo Batoni·c. 1776
Historical Context
Batoni's portrait of Don Jose Monino y Redondo, Conde de Floridablanca, painted around 1776, depicts the powerful Spanish statesman who served as chief minister to Charles III. Floridablanca was one of the most significant political figures of Enlightenment Spain, implementing major administrative and economic reforms. Batoni's Grand Tour portrait practice extended beyond British clients to include the European aristocracy and diplomatic corps who visited Rome.
Technical Analysis
Batoni's portrait technique combines polished academic finish with warm, engaging color. The count is presented with the dignity appropriate to his station, while Batoni's characteristic luminous flesh tones and precise rendering of costume create an impressive image of political authority.
Provenance
Possibly Princess Giuliana Santacroce, Rome [acc. to Clark 1985]; Santacroce family, Rome by the early nineteenth century [the painting appears in an undated, early-nineteenth-century manuscript inventory, Quadri della Galleria del Principe D. Antonio Santacroce, no. 51, as Ritratto del marchese Florido Blanco del Battoni; the original inventory previously in the possession of the Rangoni family, copy in curatorial file]; by descent to Princess Luisa Pubblicola Santacroce, who married Marquess Aldobrandino Rangoni (1846–1928) in 1869 in Macerata, Marche, Italy; by descent to the Rangoni family, Macerata [seen by Carlo Sestieri in the villa of Forano near Macerata, no date provided, see letter from Sestieri, dated December 10, 1977, in curatorial file]. Roman art market, 1968-73 [acc. to Clark 1985]; Marcello and Carlo Sestieri, Rome, by late 1973 [see letter from Sestieri, December 1977, in curatorial file]. Heim Gallery, London, 1974; sold to the Art Institute, 1974.
