Who painted Philip V?

Philip V was painted by Miguel Jacinto Meléndez in 1701.

Where can I see Philip V?

Philip V is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Philip V?

Philip V is associated with Barbizon school.

Can I buy a print of Philip V?

Museum-quality prints of Philip V are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Philip V

Miguel Jacinto Meléndez , 1701

Philip V is an oil painting by the Barbizon school artist Miguel Jacinto Meléndez. It dates from 1701 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Central to this representation is the depiction of the Order of the Golden Fleece, a prestigious chivalric order associated with the Spanish crown.

The painting portrays Philip V of Spain, the monarch who ascended the throne in the early 18th century. The work functions as a formal royal portrait, utilizing specific iconography to assert the sitter's legitimacy and high status. Central to this representation is the depiction of the Order of the Golden Fleece, a prestigious chivalric order associated with the Spanish crown.

By including this insignia, the artist emphasizes Philip's sovereign authority and his rightful place within the lineage of Spanish rulers. The composition focuses entirely on the king and his regal attributes, serving as a visual declaration of his power and dynastic connection.

Technique & Style

The work presents an oil painting on canvas portraying Philip V of Spain adorned with the Golden Fleece. Executed in 1701, the composition emphasizes the sitter's regal bearing and the ceremonial significance of the order, rendered with meticulous brushwork that highlights the texture of fabric and the subtle play of light on metallic elements. The surface remains well-preserved, showing no major structural concerns, while the color palette retains its original richness, contributing to a formal and aristocratic visual language.

The painting measures 83 cm in height by 61.5 cm in width, reflecting the standard portrait format of early 18th-century Spanish court art.

History & Provenance

The portrait of Philip V was created in 1701 by the artist Miguel Jacinto Meléndez. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures 83 cm in height and 61.5 cm in width. It depicts the Spanish monarch wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece.

The painting is cataloged in the Museo del Prado under the inventory number P006183 and was formerly associated with the Museo de la Trinidad. While its creation is firmly dated to the beginning of the eighteenth century, the specific commission details and the full chain of ownership leading to its current location at the Embassy of Spain in Paris are not detailed in the provided records.

Philip V, painted by Miguel Jacinto Meléndez in 1701, is recorded in the Museo del Prado's collection under inventory number P006183. The work is held on deposit at the Embassy of Spain in Paris. The painting was also historically associated with the Museo de la Trinidad collection.

The canvas, executed in oil paint, measures 83 cm in height by 61.5 cm in width. No exhibition history beyond these institutional associations is documented in the available sources.

Overview

Miguel Jacinto Meléndez’s oil painting, executed in 1701, portrays the Spanish monarch Philip V alongside the emblematic Golden Fleece. The work is part of the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid and measures a modest size, allowing the figure to dominate the composition against a dark, unadorned backdrop.

Context

The portrait belongs to a period when Spanish court painters emphasized both the personal likeness of the sovereign and the visual language of power. Meléndez, a court artist, aligned his approach with contemporary Baroque sensibilities, using dramatic lighting to convey authority while maintaining a dignified, almost intimate portrayal of the king.