Pedro Pablo Abarca de Bolea

Huesca's Sertoriana University (Universidad Sertoriana de Huesca) commissioned a young Ramón Bayeu to produce this portrait of Pedro Pablo Abarca de Bolea y Pons de Mendoza y Ximénez de Urrea, the 10th Count of Aranda (Siétamo, Huesca, 1719 – Épila, Zaragoza, 1798). In the summer of 1769, the count spent a few days in Épila and stopped in Siétamo before returning to Madrid. While in Siétamo, the university in Huesca awarded him its highest level of law degree and he agreed to have his portrait painted. It was to be displayed in the university's auditorium, where its most formal ceremonies were held. The idea was to create an iconographic display that would honor distinguished figures with links to the institution. The fabric lying on the table in the painting represents the Faculty of Law's distinctive red gown. The fact that the count is grasping it shows his acceptance of the honorary doctorate. It is in its original carved, golden frame.