Arcadópolis
Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria as a Hunter
Diego Velázquez, c. 1632–1636
What you see
Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand stands full-length in a forest clearing. He holds a gun diagonally across his body and turns his head toward us. On the right, a pale-coated hunting dog sits with a collar, looking off to the left. Behind them rise trees and, in the distance, a bluish mountain.
His cape and clothes are dark browns, nearly black, barely separating from the background; his gloved hands and face are the points of light. The foliage is laid in with loose patches of green and grey. Seek out the embroidered sleeves peeking out from under the cape, and the dog’s alert expression.
About Diego Velázquez
Diego Velázquez was born in Seville and was painter to King Philip IV in Madrid for almost forty years. He painted with loose brushstrokes that look like smudges up close and turn into lace, silk and living eyes from afar. Many painters, such as Goya and Picasso, considered him their great master.
More by Diego Velázquez
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