Historical context
João V (1689–1750), son of King Pedro II of Portugal and Maria Sofia of Neuburg, ascended the Portuguese throne in 1706. He married Maria Anna of Austria, sister of Emperor Joseph I. His reign was characterised by the wealth generated by Brazilian gold, extensive royal patronage and the flourishing of Baroque art and architecture.
Description
Painted between 1730 and 1732, this oil-on-canvas portrait by Carlos António Leoni is a copy after a work painted in Lisbon by Jean Ranc in 1729. King João V is depicted half-length, in three-quarter view, wearing armour, a brown velvet cloak, a red sash and the insignia of the Order of Christ.