María Teresa

María Teresa (1638–1683), Infanta of Spain

María Teresa (1638–1683), Infanta of Spain

Artist:
Velázquez (Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez) (Spanish, Seville 1599–1660 Madrid)
Date:
1651–54
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
Overall 13 1/2 x 15 3/4 in. (34.3 x 40 cm); original painted surface 12 7/8 x 15 1/8 in. (32.7 x 38.4 cm)
Classification:
Paintings
Credit Line:
The Jules Bache Collection, 1949

The daughter of King Philip IV of Spain, María Teresa became the presumptive heir to the throne in 1646. Princely suitors from around Europe were keen to have a portrait of the young infanta as she reached marriageable age. Originally bust length but subsequently cut down and then reenlarged at the bottom, this likeness of María Teresa wearing a wig with butterfly ribbons may have served as a model for Velázquez's assistants to copy as they met the demand for official portraits of the young princess. In 1660 the infanta married Louis XIV, her first cousin, becoming queen of France.

Provenance

Philippe Ledieu, Paris (by 1874–d. 1899); Colonel Oliver H. Payne, New York (probably from 1899–d. 1917); Harry Payne Bingham, New York (1917–27); [Duveen, New York, and Knoedler, New York, 1927–28]; [Duveen, New York, 1928; sold for $175,000 to Bache]; Jules S. Bache, New York (1928–d. 1944; his estate, 1944–49; cats., 1929, unnumbered; 1937, no. 44; 1943, no. 43)

Copyright Image
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