Guillermo Ducker

Guillermo Ducker (fl. 1795–1830) was a Dutch

Goya's letter of recommendation On 2 December 1799, Goya wrote to the prime minister to thank him for having been granted permission to fish in the Casa de Campo, the King's private hunting estate.The letter continues as follows: The diamond jeweler Soto came and left me a medallion in which the portraits of Their Majesties are to be inserted. I cannot think who could copy them in miniature, except for Ducker, who is currently in prison, because it happened with a portrait of mine of the duke of Aba [sic]; Alba that no one knew how to copy but for said Ducker, nor do I believe that for this task someone could be found in Italy or France: Your Excellency could permit him to leave prison, even if he returns at night, and you will have excellent portraits of the Monarchs.

After having left Madrid for Barcelona, Leandro Fernández de Moratín wrote to a cousin in Madrid in 1817 requesting a portrait, specifying that he would not accept "just any dauber" and that "the most outstanding miniaturist in Madrid when I left was a Dutchman named Ducker; if he is still around, and not blind or paralytic, he could paint really well...".

Ducker's last known work is from 1830.

Portrait of a Lady (c. 1800–1809) An Official (1809) Portrait of an Official (c. 1800–1810)

Works in other collections

The Fundación Lázaro Galdiano in Madrid has a miniature Portrait of Josefa Tudó Cathalán Alemani, condesa de Castillofiel, attributed to Ducker, painted around 1805.

The descendants of José Pascual de Zayas y Chacón also have in their possession a miniature of the general painted in 1814.

Gallery