Who painted A king of Spain?

A king of Spain was painted by Alonso Cano in 1640-01-01.

Where can I see A king of Spain?

A king of Spain is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is A king of Spain?

A king of Spain is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of A king of Spain?

Museum-quality prints of A king of Spain are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

A king of Spain

Alonso Cano , 1640

A king of Spain is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Alonso Cano. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

By focusing on these symbols of state, the work emphasizes the subject's legitimate rule and elevated status rather than personal likeness alone.

Alonso Cano's 1640 portrait, titled A king of Spain, functions as a formal representation of royal authority through specific regalia. The composition depicts the monarch seated upon a throne while holding a sceptre and wearing a crown. These elements serve as traditional iconographic markers of sovereignty and monarchical power within 17th-century Spanish portraiture.

By focusing on these symbols of state, the work emphasizes the subject's legitimate rule and elevated status rather than personal likeness alone.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 165 cm by 125 cm, created by Alonso Cano in 1640. It portrays a Spanish monarch seated on a throne, holding a sceptre and wearing a crown, rendered with the formal composition typical of 17th-century court portraiture. The handling reflects the conventions of court portraiture, with a restrained palette and precise modeling that emphasizes the sitter's authority and dignity, the rich textures of fabric, and the regalia of state.

History & Provenance

Alonso Cano painted A king of Spain in 1640 in oil on canvas. The work entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains held. It measures 165 cm in height by 125 cm in width and depicts a king of Spain with regalia including a throne, sceptre, and crown.

The available sources do not record the original commissioner, the specific sitter, a specific inventory number, or any exhibition history for the painting.

Overview

Alonso Cano’s canvas, dated 1640, presents a regal figure seated upon an opulent throne. The composition centers on a man adorned in sumptuous attire, crowned with a feathered diadem, and holding symbols of authority, a globe and a sword. The dark backdrop accentuates the luminous colors of his garments, drawing immediate focus to the sovereign’s presence.