José Álvarez de Toledo y Gonzaga, 13th Duke of Alba
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Don José Álvarez de Toledo y Gonzaga, 13th Duke of Alba and 11th Marquis of Villafranca (es: Don José Álvarez de Toledo y Gonzaga, décimotercer duque de Alba, undécimo marqués de Villafranca) was a patron of the artist Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes.
He was chamberlain to King Charles IV of Spain. He, originally Marquess of Villafranca, married his kinswoman Doña María del Pilar Teresa Cayetana de Silva y Álvarez de Toledo, 13th Duchess of Alba, who was the legendary Duchess of Alba in Goya's paintings, thus becoming the Duke Consort of Alba in her right.
The failed attempt of his friend Alejandro Malaspina to oust Queen Maria Louisa's favourite Manuel de Godoy in favour of the Duke of Alba put an early end to the political career of the progressive aristocrat.
In a famous portrait painting by Goya, the duke is clad in elegant riding clothes. He melancholically looks up from the music book he is holding in his hands, including the "Four songs/with piano accompaniment/by Mr. Haydn". The duke commissioned several works from Joseph Haydn and was a gifted musician himself. In his painting, Goya subtly combines the symbols of his model's passion for music and equestrian skills (viola or violin, riding boots and riding hat) with the interior of the ducal residence.