Infante Don Carlos
1564 | Alonso Sánchez Coello
This portrait of the eldest son of King Philip II of Spain was intended as a gift to the Vienna court in view of his planned marriage to his cousin Anna, the daughter of Emperor Maximilian II. In contrast to his heroised image in literature (Friedrich von Schiller) and opera (Giuseppe Verdi), Carlos was mentally ill and physically handicapped. This Spanish court portrait combines intense observation of an impression of royal dignity and majesty.
This portrait of the eldest son of King Philip II of Spain was intended as a gift to the Vienna court in view of his planned marriage to his cousin Anna, the daughter of Emperor Maximilian II. In contrast to his heroised image in literature (Friedrich von Schiller) and opera (Giuseppe Verdi), Carlos was mentally ill and physically handicapped. This Spanish court portrait combines intense observation of an impression of royal dignity and majesty.
Artist:
Alonso Sánchez Coello (1531/1532 Benifairò de Valls/Valencia - 1588 Madrid) DNB
Depiction/Person:
Infant Don Carlos Sohn des Philipp II. von Habsburg Spanien (1545 - 1568) DNB
Time:
1564
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Spanish
Material/technology:
Canvas
Dimensions:
186 cm × 82,5 cm
Framed: 212 cm × 106,5 cm × 6 cm
Signed
Inscribed in the lower left corner: A.SANCHEZ.F.1564
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 3235
Provenance
1564 sent by the imperial envoy in Madrid, Adam Freiherr von Dietrichstein, to Emperor Maximilian II;