RAFAEL GUERREIRO DA CRUZ FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM
Currently in storage
About this object
Born in Lisbon, Rafael Guerreiro da Cruz (1772-1844) was the Portuguese envoy to Russia from 1823. He represented his government at the coronation of Emperor Nicholas I in 1826. In St. Petersburg he was known as an avid hunter, art connoisseur, and collector. In 1832, his only son, Inácia da Cruz Guerreiro, married Russian aristocrat, Prascovia Alexeevna Sverchkova, daughter of statesman and diplomat Alexei Vasilevich Sverchkov (1788-1828). The Middletons were part of the Guerreiros’ circle. Rafael’s son left Russia after his father’s death and pursued a diplomatic career as well.
The bust-length portrait presents Rafael Guerreiro da Cruz facing partly left, eyes looking forward, against a grey-neutral background. Guerreiro da Cruz is shown with tousled brown hair and sideburns. He wears a large blue-grey cape with a red lining over a dark brown coat and a white shirt with a cravat.
- Object name:
- RAFAEL GUERREIRO DA CRUZ FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM
- Made from:
- Watercolor on paper
- Made in:
- Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Date made:
- 1823-1835
- Size:
- H. 7 1/2 in., W. 5 7/8 in.
Detailed information for this item
- Catalog number:
- 52.39.32
- Signature marks:
- SIGNATURE Socolof Proper left side, center Inscription Le Commandeur de Guerriero Bottom of page In cursive
- Credit line:
- Museum Purchase, 2004