Francisco Goya’s painting hiding portrait of French military
A painting by Francisco Goya hanging in the Rijksmuseum originally had a different subject. The Portrait of Don Ramón Satué apparently covered the seated portrait of a high-ranking member of the French military — possibly the brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, international media outlets inform.
However, it’s still something of a mystery as to who was on the canvas prior to Satué. Historians have concluded that based off the attire of the seated man, the subject is almost certainly part of the French military. Moreover, because of the unique medal on the uniform, the subject is among the highest order of military leadership. According to the BBC, only 15 French generals plus Napoleon Bonaparte’s own brother were authorized to wear the uniform. Unfortunately, the face of the sitter is so obscured that, for now, he remains anonymous to history.