Artwork
Portrait of a Young Girl
Portrait of a Young Girl is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist José Antolínez. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a formal portrait, the painting serves to represent the sitter, capturing her likeness and status through the medium of oil on canvas.
The work depicts a young girl, identified in the records as the primary subject of this 1660 portrait by José Antolínez. Iconographically, the figure is distinguished by the inclusion of a gemstone, which appears alongside the girl as a significant visual element within the composition. As a formal portrait, the painting serves to represent the sitter, capturing her likeness and status through the medium of oil on canvas. The presence of the gemstone suggests an emphasis on value or personal adornment associated with the subject.
Technique & Style
Created in 1660, Portrait of a Young Girl is an oil painting executed on a canvas support. The work measures 58 cm in height and 46 cm in width. As a portrait genre piece, the composition focuses on a young girl depicted alongside a gemstone.
The handling of the oil medium allows for the detailed rendering of the sitter and the jewelry, consistent with the stylistic practices of José Antolínez during the mid-seventeenth century.
History & Provenance
José Antolínez executed the oil-on-canvas Portrait of a Young Girl in 1660. The work depicts a young girl and includes a gemstone within its composition. It is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it is cataloged under the inventory number P01228.
The painting measures 58 cm in height and 46 cm in width. The artwork has been featured in exhibitions related to the artist Velázquez.
Context
Critical reception of Portrait of a Young Girl has been limited, with the work primarily noted for its inclusion in the Museo del Prado collection and occasional mentions in discussions of 17th-century Spanish portraiture. Scholarship situates the painting within José Antolínez's oeuvre as a clear example of late Baroque naturalism, emphasizing his departure from strict realism toward a more intimate, almost poetic rendering of subjects. This portrait reflects Antolínez's broader artistic context, operating in the shadow of Velázquez yet developing a distinct approach to characterization through delicate brushwork and subtle lighting.
Its placement in the Prado's catalog highlights its significance as part of a curated narrative about Spanish artistic identity, where it complements works by earlier masters while showcasing the evolution of portraiture in the late 1600s.
Overview
José Antolínez’s oil painting, Portrait of a Young Girl, dates to 1660 and is part of the collection at Madrid’s Museo del Prado. The work presents a solitary child rendered against a subdued brown backdrop, her gaze directed outward with a calm, unembellished expression. The composition balances modest attire with delicate accessories, creating a quiet, introspective mood.
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