Artwork
Charles IV of Spain as Huntsman
Charles IV of Spain as Huntsman is an oil painting. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
6 cm in height and 30 cm in width and is part of the National Gallery of Art's Andrew W.
The painting shows King Charles IV of Spain posed as a hunter, holding a rifle and accompanied by a dog in a landscape that emphasizes his leisure and authority. The hunting motif serves as symbolic language linking the monarch's control over nature with his political power, while his royal insignia and opulent attire underscore his status. Executed in oil on canvas in 1800, the portrait measures 46.6 cm in height and 30 cm in width and is part of the National Gallery of Art's Andrew W. Mellon collection.
Technique & Style
Charles IV of Spain as Huntsman is executed in oil on canvas. The painting measures approximately 46.6 cm by 30 cm and was completed in 1800, employing layered oil pigments to achieve a realistic portrait with pronounced chiaroscuro and a restrained palette. The brushwork and handling of light reflect late-18th-century Spanish portraiture, emphasizing the sitter's dignified presence.
History & Provenance
The painting Charles IV of Spain as Huntsman is dated to 1800. Its early ownership traces to the Marquesa de Bermejillo del Rey in Madrid. The work was later handled by Trotti et Cie in Paris, which sold a half share to M. Knoedler & Co. in New York.
On 17 October 1928, Andrew W. Mellon purchased the painting in New York. Mellon deeded it to The A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust on 28 December 1934, and it was subsequently gifted to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., in 1937.
Overview
This oil on canvas painting, Charles IV of Spain as Huntsman, portrays the Spanish monarch in attire suitable for the outdoors. Dressed in an 18th-century dark jacket, yellow waistcoat, and a sash, he stands holding a rifle, accompanied by a hunting dog looking up at him. The composition places the king within a natural setting, emphasizing his role as a sportsman.
Artist & collection
