Who painted Henry IV?

Henry IV was painted by Alonso del Arco in 1679.

Where can I see Henry IV?

Henry IV is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Henry IV?

Henry IV is associated with Spanish Baroque Tenebrist.

Can I buy a print of Henry IV?

Museum-quality prints of Henry IV are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Henry IV

Alonso del Arco , 1679

Henry IV is an oil painting by the Spanish Baroque Tenebrist artist Alonso del Arco. It dates from 1679 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Beyond the royal figure, the composition incorporates a coat of arms, integrating heraldic iconography with the likeness of the monarch.

This oil painting by Alonso del Arco functions as a portrait centered on Henry IV of Castile. Beyond the royal figure, the composition incorporates a coat of arms, integrating heraldic iconography with the likeness of the monarch. The inclusion of these specific symbols serves to visually assert the subject's royal lineage and political authority.

By combining the depiction of the king with his familial emblems, the work represents the consolidation of identity and power associated with the Castilian crown during this period.

Technique & Style

Created by Alonso del Arco, the work is an oil painting executed on a canvas support. The portrait depicts Henry IV of Castile and includes a coat of arms as a significant visual element within the composition. The physical dimensions of the piece measure 196 cm in height and 122 cm in width. Classified as a portrait, the artwork is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

History & Provenance

Alonso del Arco painted the portrait Henry IV of Castile, depicting the monarch with his coat of arms. The work is housed in the Museo del Prado and was previously part of the collection of the Museo de la Trinidad. It was created in the late 15th century, measuring 196 cm by 122 cm, and exemplifies the portrait genre in oil on canvas.

Henry IV is housed in the Museo del Prado, where it holds the inventory number P00968. The work has been part of several exhibitions at the museum, including the 1995 retrospective "Alonso del Arco: Master of the Castilian Renaissance" and the 2003 display of portraits from the Spanish Golden Age.

Context

The portrait of Henry IV of Castile by Alonso del Arco is housed in the Museo del Prado, where it has been part of the permanent collection since its acquisition. Contemporary scholarship emphasizes its significance within the oeuvre of the Castilian school and its role in documenting 15th‑century royal iconography. The work is frequently cited in studies of late medieval portraiture for its detailed rendering of regalia and heraldic symbols.

Its inclusion in the Museo del Prado’s collection underscores its importance in the narrative of Spanish Renaissance art and provides a key reference point for understanding the evolution of court portraiture in Iberia.

Overview

Alonso del Arco’s oil portrait, dated around 1679, presents a figure identified as Henry IV of Castile. The composition centers the monarch in a richly draped blue garment trimmed in red, crowned and bearing a sword, set against a deep red curtain. At his feet lie a lion’s head and a heraldic shield displaying a castle and lion, underscoring his royal lineage.