Diego de Alvear y Ponce de León

Diego de Alvear y Ponce de León was a Spanish military officer descended from the Hispano-Argentine family, the Alvears.

He settled in the Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata and was involved in the distribution of American territories between Spain and Portugal by the "Comisión de Límites" (Boundaries Commission). This led him to study the topography and botany of the areas around the Paraná and Paraguay rivers.

He returned to Spain in 1804 on the frigate "Medea," as a brigadier of the Spanish Navy, accompanied by his family. The "Medea" was traveling with 3 other frigates: "Santa Clara," "Mercedes," and "Atrevida," on their return journey carrying treasure from the viceroyalties back to Spain. Circumstances led to him traveling on the "Medea" as the fleet's second in command, accompanied by his eldest son. His wife, their 7 other young children, and a nephew remained on the "Mercedes," meaning that he saw them all perish when the ship exploded in the British attack at Cape Santa Maria. After that, Alvear continued his military career during the War of Independence, leading the artillery units in the defense of Cádiz and protecting the city against French troops.

He appears in this portrait dressed in the uniform of Brigadier of the Spanish Royal Navy, with the golden cross of the Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegildo. He is shown alongside several scientific instruments relating to his profession as a naval officer and his work at the "Comisión de Límites" (Boundaries Commission). These include a telescope and a theodolite, which is an instrument used for taking measurements in topographical and geodesic studies. In the bottom right corner is an inscription that reads: "[...] de Alvear lo copio" (copied by [...] Alvear), which may allude to a descendant.