Novo-Hispanic master or Puerto Rico, ca. 1790.

Novo-Hispanic master or Puerto Rico, ca. 1790. "Possible portrait of Cosme Damián de Churruca". Oil on canvas. Relined It presents repainting and restorations. Measurements: 97 x 68 cm. In this work the artist presents us with an exceptional portrait of a naval officer. This characteristic can be deduced from the uniform in which he is dressed. The sitter is standing before the viewer, slightly turned three-quarters of the way round, leaning on a cane. Despite his position, the sitter is looking at the viewer with a serious, rigid gesture, which is defined by the position of his lips, which are closed and pressed together, and his eyebrows arched in an attentive position. In such a way that he seems not only to show his social relevance to the spectator, but also to reveal his interest in the one who observes him, thus establishing a dialogue, where his regal pose defines his preponderant situation. From the aforementioned clothing and physical features, it is possible that this is a portrait of the scientist and Brigadier of the navy Don Cosme Damián Churruca y Elorza (Guipúzcoa, 1761 - Cadiz, 1805). A renowned marine, Churruca entered the Cadiz Naval Academy in 1776, although two years later he graduated from the Ferrol Naval Academy as an officer. During his professional career, he took part in the siege of Gibraltar between 1781-1782. Years later, his knowledge as a scientist earned him the opportunity to take part in the expedition commanded by Antonio Córdova in the Strait of Magellan, and on his return, Churruca was responsible for directing the campaign designed to reform the maritime atlas of North America. In 1802 he settled in Mutriko (Guipúzcoa), where he served as mayor until 1805, when he became involved in the war with England, taking part in the battle of Trafalgar, where he was wounded and killed in combat. Churruca's work in the military and scientific fields earned him a great social reputation, making him one of the most highly valued figures of the time. His knowledge of mathematics, mechanics and astronomy, together with his publications on his various research projects, made him a great intellectual of the time. In terms of aesthetics, the work follows the aesthetic patterns typical of the portraitist of the time. The figure in the foreground, against a neutral background that does not distort the figure of the protagonist, etc. It is worth mentioning that, during Spanish colonial rule, a style of painting developed in which local painters were modelled on Spanish works, which they followed literally in terms of type and iconography. However, in the early years of the 19th century, at the time of independence and the political opening up of some of the colonies, several artists began to represent a new model of painting with its own identity.