comitentes

Comitentes are individuals or entities that authorize another party to act on their behalf in a transaction, project, or artistic undertaking. The term is used mainly in Spanish-language legal and historical contexts to describe the client or principal who commissions a service or work. The comitente entrusts the task to an agent or contractor (often called the mandatario or agente) and may specify objectives, terms, and compensation.

In civil law, the comitente grants authority and defines the scope of the mandate. The mandatario is expected to act loyally and with due care, within the powers granted. The comitente bears the consequences of acts performed within the authorized mandate, while actions beyond the mandate can create liability for the mandatario and sometimes expose the comitente to claims by third parties, depending on jurisdiction and the contract’s terms.

In the arts and cultural patrimony, comitentes are patrons who finance the creation of artworks. They may influence subject matter, function, or stylistic choices and typically obtain ownership rights to the resulting work, although artists often retain moral rights. The relationship reflects a historical model of patronage in which financiers supported artistic production in exchange for commissions and eventual possession of the work.

In contemporary business and procurement, comitentes are clients who appoint agents, brokers, or contractors to procure goods, manage projects, or provide specialized services. The relationship is governed by a mandate or agency agreement that outlines authority, duties, remuneration, and liability, aligning the agent’s actions with the comitente’s objectives.