On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01188
- Author
- Velázquez, Diego Rodríguez de Silva y (Spanish)
- Title
- The Infante Carlos
- Chronology
- 1626-1627
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 209 cm x 125 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
This is one of the few known images
of the brother of King Felipe IV
and Velasquez painted it some years
after the infante's death. He wears
a black suit with grey highlights
and a short cape, and the superb
gold chain and fleece are the only
adornments. Little is know of don
Carlos, who spent most of his life
in the shadow of his brother,
although he is known to have
enjoyed painting and poetry.
Velasquez manages to reflect the
infante's indolent character, a
result of his situation at court.
The figure's placement over a
neutral background and the way it
is shaped with gradations of light
and with the shadow it projects on
the ground, make this one of the
artist's most successful portraits.
Especially worthy of note is the
beauty of the right hand, which
loosely holds a glove, while the
left holds a felt hat very
naturally.
This painting is documented from
its origin in the Alcázar Palace in
Madrid, and later in the new Royal
Palace, entering the Prado Museum
in 1827 from the Academy of San
Fernando.
Location on the map
