Purificación Fontán, Widowed Marchioness of the Pazo de la Merced
1906. Oil on canvas.On display elsewhere
Purificación Fontán (around 1846–Madrid, 1921) married José de Elduayen y Gorriti (1823–1898), I Marquis of the Pazo de la Merced and a distinguished politician. During his position at the Ministry of Overseas, in 1880, the Slavery Abolition Act and the establishment of the patronage was promulgated in Cuba. Alfonso XII granted him the marquisate in 1875.