João Francisco António José Bento Bernardo de Bragança, born in 1689, was the 24th monarch of Portugal under the complete title of King of Portugal and Algarves of either side of the sea in Africa, Lord of Guinea and of the Conquest, Navigation and Commerce of Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia and India... In 1748, Dom João V was awarded by Pope Benedict XIV with the sobriquet Rex Fidelissimus - The Most Faithful King. This was the highlight of the King's glory.
During the reign of João V Portuguese Empire was the richest in the World. In order to understand that, it is important to remember that on those days Portugal collected more gold from the Brazilian mines in over a few decades than Spain took from the remaining of Central and South America over 400 years and there were very productive diamond and precious gemstone mines that kept the royal coffers full. Therefore it is easy to realize how did the King, whom historians refer to as a "gentleman of large culture received since childwood from the priests." became the greatest patron of the arts in Europe of his time. 
Fluent in several languages, and knewing both classic and modern authors, he had good literary and scientific culture, appreciated music and loved luxury. His Acclamation Ceremony was the first stage of his royal magnificence. The ceremonial involved the figure of the new King in the veneration spectrum that the absolutism covered royalty.
With the state pharaonic budget he gathered some of the greatest art collections of that time – at a point, in one single occasion, over 80 paintings by great Italian masters were taken into the Royal Palace of Ribeira in Lisbon. 
The Royal Palace of Ribeira. circa 1750
The Royal Music Library, already the greatest in the world, was enlarged as was the Royal Library and other libraries in the country.
A view of the Library of the Royal Palace of Mafra 
Another perspective of the same library
Another perspective of the same library
The King's Library in the University of Coimbra
Coimbra's Library
The King would order his ambassadors to keep him informed about the last fashions and stage of the arts in foreign countries and would buy only the best from the most reputable artists of the time. 
Dom João V style Artworks
João V's 44 years reign was marked by the King's concentration of powers establishing a Absolute Monarchy in Portugal. 
Due to his centralistic ruling, he endured political opposition from several noble families and influential clergymen.
Due to his centralistic ruling, he endured political opposition from several noble families and influential clergymen.
In what was most probably his demonstration of the royal power and king's magnificence, John V built his major surviving work, the Royal Palace of Mafra. The palace is a colossal baroque palace-monastery located in the town of Mafra. With a area of 37,790 m², a imposing 220 m long facade, two immense church towers with 68m high each, 1200 rooms, more than 4700 doors and windows, and 156 stairways its dimensions are so huge that it dwarfs the town. When the King comissioned a total of 92 church bells to the church towers to bell-founders in Antwerp they were so astonished that asked to be paid in advance. The king retorted by doubling the offered amount. These carillons constitute the largest collection in the world..jpg)
The King died in 1750 and, five years after, the Great Earthquake of Lisbon, with magnitude 9 on the Scale of Richter and one of the most destructive earthquakes in history, caused near-total destruction of the city. 
In a total of more than 10,000 destroyed buildings, 55 palaces (including the Royal Palace), 60 convents, almost all the Royal Art Collections and libraries disapeared. Between 12,000 and 100,000 people were dead.
History titled João V as The Magnanimous.
Diogo Mayo, August, 2009
