Juan Bautista Martínez del Mazo (1611 - 1667)

Attributable to Juan Bautista Martínez del Mazo (Castile 1611 - Madrid 1667), pupil and collaborator of Diego Velázquez Portrait of Charles II, King of Spain, as a child (1661 -1700) Spain, circa 1670 Oil on canvas (68 x 49 cm - In an antique frame 96 x 75 cm) Complete details of the work (click HERE) The analysis of this portrait, and in particular the typology with which its features have been delineated, leads us back to the great tradition of the Spanish school of the seventeenth century. King Charles II of Spain is depicted, at a young age and dressed in garb reflecting typical Spanish fashion. the last born child and only male son of Philip IV of Spain and his second wife Maria Anna of Austria, as well as the last of the Habsburg dynasty to rule Spain. The work is based on the great composition, now at the Royal Collection in England, which portrayed the young ruler full-length at the age of four (dated 1665), dressed in a black suit and cloak, and a large feathered hat, presumably shortly after the death of his father Philip IV, to celebrate the young man's rise to the throne and his proclamation as King of Spain. (see photo in details) URL: https://www.rct.uk/collection/404964/carlos-ii-king-of-spain-as-a-child-1661-1700 He holds a scepter in his left hand and wears the Order of the Golden Fleece, while the hilt of a silver-ornamented sword is visible from the left cuff, increasing the formality and solemnity of the portrait. The original composition, as well as the one proposed here, initially attributed to Velázquez (Seville 1599 – Madrid 1660), was later placed in the pictorial production of his son-in-law Juan Bautista Martínez del Mazo, a student of Velázquez, and then his collaborator for almost three decades, in the production of court portraits. The long period of proximity allowed him to fully assimilate the master's style, creating compositions that strongly revealed his direct influence. After Velazquez's death in 1660, Mazo succeeded his father-in-law as court painter to Philip IV of Spain, then to Charles II until his death in 1667. Our canvas is a replica of the large painting in the Royal Collection, created by Mazo himself in a reduced format, re-proposing the ruler half-figure, presumably as a gift of representation. Several other similar versions of the composition are known; an anonymous work in the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, in which the child king holds a globe and a scepter but which is otherwise close to the painting in the Royal Collection, and another anonymous version in the Prado Museum (P002534). The latter is missing the recumbent lion and a dog has been added. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet. We take care of and organize the transport of purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works. Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information. Follow us also on: https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/