The Theme of The Hunt
King Phillip IV commissioned Velázquez to paint a series of portraits on the theme of the hunt, all of which ere destined to adorn the pavilion that was built in the mountain of Pardo, close to Madrid, called “La Torre de la Parada”. This pavilion was later converted into an art museum of a long series of Ovid’s Metamorphosis, painted by Rubens. This pavilion was reserved exclusively for the Court, and no-one else had access to it. It became one of the most important collections on the subject of mythology and a variety of nudes
Velázquez painted two other works for this location on the theme of the hunt: El cardenal infante don Fernando de Austria cazador and Felipe IV cazador. The three works have something in common: a long format, the figure presented in three quartes, hunting weapon in hand and hunting clothes on the protagonists. It is known the painter created many more works on this subject but none of them are in Spain.
Read more about this topic: Prince Balthasar Charles As A Hunter
Famous quotes containing the words theme and/or hunt:
“One theme links together these new proposals for family policy—the idea that the family is exceedingly durable. Changes in structure and function and individual roles are not to be confused with the collapse of the family. Families remain more important in the lives of children than other institutions. Family ties are stronger and more vital than many of us imagine in the perennial atmosphere of crisis surrounding the subject.”
—Joseph Featherstone (20th century)
“The hunt is up, the morn is bright and grey,
The fields are fragrant and the woods are green.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)