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
- Support
- Measures
- 198 cm x 121 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal collection
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 Velasquez 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” (P1200), 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.
Location on the map
