De Paez had a long and prolific career and specialized in religious subjects but was best known for his portraits. His subject for this portrait was Juan de Palafox y Mendoza who was born in Spain. The illegitimate son of a noblewoman, he was trained for the church and became a bishop in Mexico. He founded schools and a library and supervised the university at Mexico City, which brought him into conflict with the Jesuits. He was also a prolific author and well known theologian. His most well known work was Pastor de Nochebuena (1644)-still a favorite Christmas text in the Hispanic world.