Credit: The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.2640

    Portrait of Diogo de Mendonça Corte-Real

    Date
    1750
    Sitter
    Diogo de Mendonça Corte-Real (1658 - 1736, Portuguese) , Diplomat
    Creator
    Object type
    Image reference
    Material
    Technique
    Description
    Half-length portrait of Diogo de Mendonça Corte-Real, sometimes known as Diego de Mendoca Corte-Real, within an oval frame. Corte-Real is shown in a gown and wig with a frilled collar and a cross on a ribbon around his neck.

    The frame is shown within an ornate domed interior, resting on a stone plinth. Below the frame, putti are seen holding objects including a mirror, a wreath and a sword with a snake wound around it. A caduceus is also shown towards the right edge of the image and a small dog can be seen by the base of the plinth.

    Inscribed around frame: ‘DIOGO DE MENDOÇA CORTE=REAL DO CONSELHO DE SUA MAGESTADE E SEU SECRETARIO DE ESTADO, DAS MERCES, E DO EXPEDIENTE, &c. &c. 1730.’

    Inscribed below: ‘Hæe est Lusiadum prudentis Imago Ministri, / Qui fide, et ingenio, Consilio qu Valet. / Huic Natura pares paucos produxerat ante, / Attamen ars Similem fingered octa potest. / - Margē Al’et Cellés da Silva.’ ‘ad Vivum delineavit ano 1730 totumque opus ase inventum perfecit ano 1750 G.F.L.Debrie delineator et sculptor Regis Portugaliæ.’

    Diogo de Mendonça Corte-Real (1658-1736), Portuguese diplomat and statesmen, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1736.
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