Diego del Corral y arellano (1570-1632) was a judge at the Council of Castile and professor at the University of Salamanca. He is shown with a black toga, and this, along with his papers, alludes to his position as a judge. The Cross of Saint James embroidered on his chest symbolizes his noble origin, while his hat denotes the right to cover his head, indicating his high social standing.

The details of this composition are far from anecdotal. Every one was carefully chosen by Velasquez to socially characterize his model.

The technique employed by the painter, which combines a close-up of the model with a neutral background and floor and a slight hallow around his head, is characteristic of Velasquez's style from the beginning of the sixteen thirties.

This work was paired with the portrait of his wife, Antonia de Ipeñarrieta y Galdós and her son, Luís (P1196), and both were owned by the family until the Duchess of Villahermosa bequeathed them to the Prado Museum.