On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01199
- Author
- Velázquez, Diego Rodríguez de Silva y (Spanish)
- Title
- The Buffoon, "Redbeard", Cristóbal de Castañeda y Pernía
- Chronology
- Ca. 1635
- Technique
- Óleo
- Support
- Lienzo
- Measures
- 198 cm x 121 cm
- School
- Española
- Theme
- Retrato
- On display
- Yes
- Procedence
- Colección Real (Palacio Real Nuevo, Madrid, paso de tribuna y trascuartos, 1772, nº 610; Palacio Nuevo, cuarto del príncipe, 1794, nº 610; Palacio Real, Madrid, cuarto del príncipe-cámara, 1814-1818, nº 610; Real Academia de BBAA de San Fernando, Madrid, 1816).
Cristóbal de Castañeda y Pernía was a buffoon at the court of Felipe IV (1605-1665) between 1633 and 1649 and an emissary of Cardinal-Infante Fernando de Austria (1609-1641).
He was known for his strong character and Velázquez praises this characteristic with his pictorial technique —using rapid and energetic brushstrokes— and by dressing him as Redbeard, the Turkish pirate whom Juan de Austria (1545-1578) vanquished at the Battle of Lepanto.
This work was probably paired with The Buffoon called "Juan de Austria" (P01200), which is also in the Prado Museum collection.
It is listed in the 1772, 1794 and 1814 inventories of Madrid's Royal Palace and was at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando between 1816 and 1827.
