On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01193
- Author
- Velázquez, Diego Rodríguez de Silva y (Spanish)
- Title
- Juan Francisco de Pimentel, Tenth Count of Benavente
- Chronology
- 1648
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 109 cm x 88 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- No
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
Born in 1584 and died in 1652, the
Tenth Count of Benavente held
important posts in the court of
Felipe IV, including President of
the Council of Italy and Governor
of Extremadura during the war with
Portugal. The tent in which he
poses, and his sumptuous armor are
references to that war.
The canvas has been cut down, so it
may originally have been a
full-length portrait like Titian's
painting of Felipe II (P411), which
clearly influenced the present
work, especially in the treatment
of the armor. The Golden Fleece on
the Count's chest makes it possible
to date this work from between
April 1648, when he received that
honor, and November of the
following year, when Velasquez left
for Italy.
The fleur de lis in the lower right
corner indicates that this work
belonged to the collection of Queen
Isabel de Farnesio, where it was
attributed to Titian.
