Francisco de Goya y Lucientes (Spanish, 1746-1828). <em>Portrait of Don Tadeo Bravo de Rivero</em>, 1806. Oil on canvas, 81 1/2 x 45 11/16in. (207 x 116cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the executors of the Estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam, 34.490 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 34.490_SL1.jpg)

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes (Spanish, 1746-1828). Portrait of Don Tadeo Bravo de Rivero, 1806. Oil on canvas, 81 1/2 x 45 11/16in. (207 x 116cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the executors of the Estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam, 34.490 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 34.490_SL1.jpg)

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Were dogs a popular pet back then?

Yes, dogs were as big back then as now. Many rich or royal families kept specially bred dogs as companions/pets or as valuable hunting dogs! The hunting dog here is a formal quotation from the many portraits of the Spanish royal family by Diego Velazquez, who also often depicted his subjects outdoors alongside hunting dogs. Goya, the portraitist here, was obsessed with Velazquez and copied many of his paintings in the then royal collection--now the Prado Museum. The dog here is also an allegory of fidelity; it shows the allegiance of the sitter, Don Tadeo Bravo de Rivero, to the Spanish king, Charles IV.

That portrait by Goya has been in storage for a while and was just recently brought out into the galleries again!

What is the dog's name? Who does he belong to?

Dogs often play an important part in portraiture. We don't know the dog's name, but many wealthy individuals did keep dogs as personal pets. Goya may have included this dog as a traditional symbol of fidelity, suggesting Don Tadeo Bravo de Rivero's devotion to his king.

This portrait shows Don Tadeo's military rank and his social status: he is wearing his cavalry uniform, with a medal pinned to his scarlet jacket. His sword is very elegant, meant more for display than for use. Goya also painted royalty as well as military leaders and wealthy individuals he was very much in demand as a portraitist in his time.

Was Don Tadeo an important person?

Yes, in addition to being a military general, Don Tadeo served as a deputy for the city of Lima in Peru. He and Goya were friends, you can see that the artist signed the painting, "to my friend Don Tadeo Bravo de Rivero" at lower right.

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Portrait of Don Tadeo Bravo de Rivero

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes

European Art

In their formal full-length portraits, Old and New World elites proudly defined themselves through their things. The colonial Peruvian nobleman Tadeo Bravo de Rivero sat for Francisco de Goya y Lucientes wearing the brilliant scarlet uniform of a cavalry officer. The medal of the chivalric Order of Santiago displayed on his lapel points to one of the ways that Creoles (American-born Spaniards) elevated their rank within the empire’s social and racial hierarchy. At the officer’s feet is a dog, the traditional symbol of fidelity, suggesting the subject’s devotion to his king.

ARTIST Francisco de Goya y Lucientes, Spanish, 1746-1828

MEDIUM Oil on canvas

Place Made: Spain

DATES 1806

DIMENSIONS 81 1/2 x 45 11/16in. (207 x 116cm) frame: 91 1/4 x 58 1/4 x 5 in. (231.8 x 148 x 12.7 cm) (show scale)

INSCRIPTIONS Inscribed, lower left: "Dn. Tadeo Bravo de/Rivero por su amgo. Goya/1806"

COLLECTIONS European Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 34.490

CREDIT LINE Gift of the executors of the Estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Francisco de Goya y Lucientes (Spanish, 1746-1828). Portrait of Don Tadeo Bravo de Rivero, 1806. Oil on canvas, 81 1/2 x 45 11/16in. (207 x 116cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the executors of the Estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam, 34.490 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 34.490_SL1.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 34.490_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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