King philip iv of spain diego velazquez

Philip IV, King of Spain, looks middle-aged, and tired: his sagging flesh and puffy eyes suggest the weight of responsibility resting on his shoulders during his long reign (1621–65), which began when he was only 16.

King philip iv of spain diego velazquez

This portrait was painted in about 1656, when Philip was facing particular challenges caused by the ongoing Thirty Years' War. He appears worn down by the loss of family and Spain’s declining political fortunes.

The King’s pale face stands out against the sombre black of his clothing and the plain background.

His eyes stare out steadily, with a look that commands respect but is also intensely human. Velázquez has shown him as calm and dignified, his hair arranged in regular waves that frame his face and rest neatly on his collar.

He wears the Order of the Golden Fleece, a chivalric order whose pendant took the form of a suspended sheepskin, on the gold chain around his neck. The pendant wo