On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01197
- Author
- Velázquez, Diego Rodríguez de Silva y (Spanish)
- Title
- Juana Pacheco, Wife of the Artist, characterized as a Sibyl
- Chronology
- Ca. 1631
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 62 cm x 50 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
This may be a portrait of Juana
Pacheco (1602-1660), who was
Velasquez's wife and the daughter
of his teacher, Francisco Pacheco
(1546-1644).
Which this identity has not been
proven, the work already appeared
with the title, “Velasquez's Wife”
in 1746, and its intimate and
everyday character reveal how close
the painter was to his model.
Juana is depicted as a biblical
character, a sibyl or a prophet,
although the object she holds in
her hands, a tablet or palette, has
also led her to be identified as
Clio, the muse of History, or as an
allegory of Painting.
This work was acquired by Isabel de
Farnesio and is listed in the 1746
inventory of her collection at the
Palace of la Granja de San
Ildefonso. By 1814 it was at
Madrid's Royal Palace.
Location on the map
