The Equestrian Portrait of Count-Duke of Olivares is a painting by Spanish artist Diego Velázquez, finished in 1634. It is housed in the Museo del Prado, Madrid.
The subject of the picture is Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares, Prime Minister of Spain during the reign of Philip IV. He is portrayed riding a horse, an honour generally reserved for monarchs at the time. He wears a plumed headgear and a gilt cuirass, and holds a command baton. The composition refers to Olivares' military leadership in the service of King Philip.
Famous quotes containing the word portrait:
“It is the business of the critic, as of the portrait painter, to synthesize a million glances at his subject that will tell the onlooker at one glance the truth about him, as ultimate as he can get it.”
—Rebecca West (1892–1983)