Portrait of an Elorrio official discovered hidden under layers of paint

A restoration process has revealed the true face of a prominent 17th-century administrator.

Portrait of a 17th-century nobleman after a restoration process.
IA

Portrait of a 17th-century nobleman after a restoration process.

A portrait of a prominent 17th-century administrator from Elorrio has been recovered after a restoration process revealed his true face hidden beneath layers of paint.

The image of a significant official of the Hispanic Monarchy, originally from Elorrio, has been recovered. Following a technical intervention carried out in Altea, the canvas has returned to its original state, removing modifications that had altered the character's features for centuries.
The discovery has identified a man of approximately 35 years with distinct features, moving away from the idealized version previously preserved. Experts attribute the work to the artistic circle of Miguel Jacinto Meléndez, one of the most influential portraitists of the turn of the century.
The subject of this portrait held high-level responsibilities, including roles in the War Secretariat and the General Captaincy of the Galleys of Naples. His career reflects the ability of families from Elorrio to integrate into the power structures of the era during the reign of Charles II.