Francisco Cabarrús

Cabarrús was born in Bayonne in 1752.

His aptitude for finance ensured that he developed a very good relationship with Jovellanos, Floridablanca and Aranda. He proposed the founding of the Banco de San Carlos, the first Spanish national bank. Cabarrús also created the Royal Company of the Philippines and began construction of the Canal de Cabarrús, which today is known as the Canal de Isabel II. In 1789 he was awarded the title of the Count of Cabarrús. He became Minister of Finance under Joseph Bonaparte, who named him Knight of the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Spain. He died in Seville in 1810.

In this painting, the last in the series Goya painted for the Banco de San Carlos, the subject is pictured standing, turned slightly to his right with his arm extended as if he were in the middle of a speech - he was known to be a great orator. His left hand is hidden behind his half-open olive green frock coat. He also wears a matching waistcoat and breeches, white stockings, black shoes with large buckles, and a white wig His rosy, smiling face and wide open eyes communicate great expressiveness.