Ecclesiastical Notary José María Ruiz y Peña
Artist
José Campeche y Jordán
(Puerto Rican, 1751-1809)
Dateca. 1790
Object number97.2215
Mediumoil on panel
Dimensions20 1/2 x 11 11/16 in. (52.1 x 29.7 cm)
frame: 25 7/8 x 19 1/4 x 2 in. (65.7 x 48.9 x 5.1 cm)
frame: 25 7/8 x 19 1/4 x 2 in. (65.7 x 48.9 x 5.1 cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineMuseo de Arte de Ponce. The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, Inc.
Gift of Nicanor Ferré
Collections
DescriptionJosé Campeche’s portraits stand out for the meticulous representation of his characters' physiognomy and vestments, as well as their environment. On the other hand, these portraits bear witness to the influence of Luis Paret y Alcázar during his exile in Puerto Rico. The attire and setting in this portrait, whose attribution to Campeche was established through a rigorous cleaning and conservation process, facilitate the identification of the character portrayed. The sitter's green mozzetta, hat, shoes, and gloves indicate that he is an ecclesiastical scholar. Other attributes, such as the quills, inkwells, paper, and books on the table, including the current Spanish legislation, support this identification, as does the library visible in the background. Historical records indicate that until 1791, there were only three lawyers in Puerto Rico, among them only one ecclesiastical scribe named José María Ruiz y Peña. In addition, Ruiz y Peña was a patron of the artist—he commissioned the central panel of the "Our Lady of Mount Carmel with Two Angels" triptych in 1807—supporting the identification of the sitter. Furthermore, he was the great-grandfather of the person who bequeathed the portrait to the Museo de Arte de Ponce.
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José Campeche y Jordán
Central panel 1807; side panels, before 1807
