José Duaso y Latre

Don José Duaso y Latre (Campol del Valle de Solana, Huesca, 1775-Madrid, 1849) was an erudite man, studying philosophy, law and mathematics. He was ordained as a priest in 1799. He was Vicar General for the army of Castile, Asturias and Galicia during the Spanish War of Independence. He saved the Royal Palace's jewels and silver from the looting of the French forces and, as a reward, was named a Knight of the Royal Order of Charles III. In 1813 he was named parliamentary representative for Aragón. He was well versed in political and economic matters and became librarian of the Spanish Royal Academy. In 1824 he was named director of the Science Museum and, in 1826, Judge of the Royal Chapel and military Lieutenant General, both of which positions he was to hold until his death. He took into his home and helped many companions who were wanted for being liberals.

This half-length portrait, smaller than life-size, shows him dressed in a black cassock and skullcap. Over the top of his outfit, the insignias of the Order of Charles III are clearly visible. In his left hand he holds a breviary, which he is reading. His face shows how he is concentrating on his reading and his features are very realistically depicted. The composition is sombre, pared down to those elements which are essential to showing the warm personality of the subject. Goya was to continue in a similar vein for the rest of his final portraits, which were increasingly free from anecdotal elements. It is possible that the last years of Goya's life, which were filled with anguish over the reprisals against the liberals, translated into this more concise, more expressive way of painting.