Hang Around the World: Painting #043

Diego Velázquez

(Spanish Baroque, 1599–1660)

Margaret Theresa of Spain

(1651-1673, aged 21)

Las Meninas / The Maids of Honour / 宮娥

- Diego Velazquez

- oil on canvas (318 × 276 cm) 1656-57

- Museo del Prado (Madrid)

The painting shows a large room in the Royal Alcazar of Madrid during the reign of King Philip IV (1605-1621-1665) of Spain. The young Infanta Margaret Theresa is surrounded by her entourage. The background mirror reflects the upper bodies of the king and queen.

Velázquez also put himself inside the painting above! Found him?

Self-portrait
- Diego Velazquez
- oil on canvas (45 × 38 cm) 1640
- Museu de Belles Arts (de Valencia)

He was the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV.

Velázquez's Las Meninas, tegether with Leonardo's Mona Lisa and Rembrandt's The Night Watch, are regarded the top three paintings of the world.

Infanta Margarita Teresa
- Diego Velazquez
- oil on canvas (70 x 59 cm) c.1655
- Louvre Museum (Paris)

... one of five portraits Velaquez painted of Margaret Theresa of Spain.

Infanta Margarita Teresa in a Blue Dress
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (127 × 107 cm) 1659
- Kunsthistorisches Museum (Vienna)

Infanta Margaret Theresa in a Pink Dress
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (212 × 147 cm) 1660
- Museo del Prado (Madrid)

She later became Holy Roman Empress (1651-1666-1673), by marriage to Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor.

Philip IV (1605-1621-1665) of Spain

Philip IV in Brown and Silver
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (199 × 113 cm) 1635
- National Gallery (London)

Portrait of Mariana of Austria
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (234 × 132 cm) 1652-53
- Museo del Prado (Madrid)

She became Queen consort of Spain by marriage to her uncle Philip IV. She later mothered Margaret Theresa.

Infanta Maria Teresa in a Peach Dress
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (128.5 × 100 cm) 1653-54
- Kunsthistorisches Museum (Vienna)

Daughter of Philip IV of Spain and Elizabeth of France, she later became Queen consort of France (1638-1660-1683), by marriage to Louis XIV of France.

Portrait of Maria Anna
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (58 × 44 cm) 1630
- Museo del Prado (Madrid)

Sister of Philip IV, she later became Holy Roman Empress (1606–1637–1646), by marriage to Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor.

Old Woman Frying Eggs
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (100.5 × 119.5 cm) c.1618
- National Gallery of Scotland (Edinburgh)

The Waterseller of Seville
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (104 × 75 cm) 1618
- Uffizi (Florence)

The Adoration of the Magi
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (204 × 126.5 cm) 1619
- Museo del Prado (Madrid)

Models chosen for the painting: Madonna (V's wife), Christ (V's daughter), kneeling magus (V himself), magus behind kneeling magus (V's father-in-law).

Portrait of Sebastián de Morra

- Diego Velazquez

- oil on canvas (106 × 81 cm) c.1645

- Museo del Prado (Madrid)

... a dwarf and jester at the court of Philip IV of Spain

The Buffoon Calabacillas
- Diego Velazquez
- oil on canvas (106 x 83) 1639
- Museo del Prado (Madrid)

The Clown Pablo of Valladolid

- Diego Velázquez

- oil on canvas (209 x 123 cm) 1634

Museo del Prado (Madrid)

(R) Statue of Velázquez

Then, the King sent Velázquez to Rome, where he stayed at the Villa Medici:

View of the Gardens of the Villa Medici in Rome
with a Statue of Ariadne
- Diego Velazquez
- oil on canvas (38 x 44 cm) 1630
- Museo del Prado (Madrid)

Rokeby Venus / The Toilet of Venus
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (122.5 x 175 cm) 1644
- National Gallery (London)

Portrait of Pope Innocent X

- Diego Velazquez

- oil on canvas (140 × 120 cm) c.1650

- Galleria Doria Pamphilj (Rome)

From the first quarter of the 19th century, Velázquez's artwork was a model for the realist and impressionist painters.

Then, he returned to Spain.

Equestrian Portrait of Philip IV
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (301 × 314 cm) 1635-36
- Museo del Prado (Madrid)

Equestrian Statue of Philip IV

Equestrian Portrait of Prince Balthazar Charles
(son of Philip IV)
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (209 × 173 cm) 1635
- Museo del Prado (Madrid)

Equestrian Portrait of the Count-Duke of Olivares
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (313 × 239 cm) c.1636
- Royal Palace (Madrid)

The Surrender of Breda
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (307 × 367 cm) 1634-35
- Museo del Prado (Madrid)

The Triumph of Bacchus
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (165 × 225 cm) 1628-29
- Museo del Prado (Madrid)

Apollo in the Forge of Vulcan
- Diego Velázquez
- oil on canvas (223 × 290 cm) 1630
- Museo del Prado (Madrid)

The painting depicts the moment when the god Apollo, identifiable by the crown of laurel on his head, visits Vulcan, who is found making weapons for war. The god Apollo tells Vulcan that his wife, Venus, is having an affair with Mars, the god of war. For this reason, the other figures in the room are looking in surprise at the god who has just appeared before them.