The government confirmed on Sunday that the Public Works Ministry agreed in 2010 to pay 190,000 euros for a portrait of Francisco Álvarez-Cascos, the former Asturias regional premier who was head of the ministry during the administration of ex-Prime Minister José María Aznar.

Although no funds have yet been paid out, and the portrait has not been delivered, the money was agreed upon during the Socialists' tenure, when José Blanco was Public Works Minister.

By tradition, it is the former minister who selects the artist to paint the portrait for the ministry, which hangs alongside those of other past ministers. Cascos - who broke away from the Popular Party (PP) to form his own Asturias Citizens Forum (FAC) party, but lost his re-election bid in March - chose painter Antonio López, one of the country's leading hyperrealists.

The revelation about the price of the portrait was contained in a parliamentary communique sent by the government after an inquiry was made by Socialist deputy Antonio Trevín of Asturias.

The government explained that it doesn't put a price on the official portraits but pays whatever fee the painter charges.

In comparison, Congress has set aside 82,600 euros for the portrait done of its former speaker José Bono, by Madrid hyperrealist Bernardo Torrens.