José Romero y Fernández de Landa

José Joaquín Romero y Fernández de Landa was a military and naval officer, and the first Naval Engineer of the Spanish Royal Navy. Born in Galaroza (Huelva) on May 25, 1735, he entered the Marine Engineer Corps on January 17, 1771 as Second Engineer, with only the Engineer General and founder of the Corps, Francisco Gautier, above him in rank. In 1782 Gautier resigned from his post as Engineer General of the Navy and was replaced by Romero de Landa as Interim Engineer General.

In 1783 he wrote the "Guidelines for the Wood Required to Manufacture the King's Vessels." This involved producing plans for various 2- and 3-deck ships of the line, and for the frigates that took part in the great naval battles of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, such as the Battles of Cape St Vincent, Cape Santa Maria, and Trafalgar. He died in Madrid on August 5, 1807.

He is shown in a three-quarter length portrait, wearing the uniform of Squadron Leader of both the Spanish Army and Navy, as stipulated in the Royal Decree of October 22, 1768. A scallop shell symbolizing the insignia of the Order of Santiago can be seen on the lapel of his jacket, as well as the ''encomienda'' (or subdivision) of the same order, embroidered on the lapel. He is leaning on a table with a ship's plan and 4 books: "Cables and Anchors," "Naval Architecture," "Treatise on Ships," and a fourth whose title is not legible. In his hand, he is holding a piece of paper that says "The Most Excellent Mr. José Romero y L[anda], Madrid."