File:Velazquez (1907) (14781295952).jpg

Identifier: velazquez1907bens (find matches)
Title: Velazquez
Year: 1907 (1900s)
Authors: Bensusan, S. L. (Samuel Levy), 1872-1958
Subjects: Velázquez, Diego, 1599-1660
Publisher: London : T.C. & E.C. Jack New York : F.A. Stokes co.
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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s, entertainments on a mostsumptuous scale, were the order of the day,and because Velazquez was now at thesummit of his achievement, because he couldpaint pictures that will endure as long asmen care for art, it is difficult indeed toforgive Philip IV. for making him Marshalof the Palace. To be sure the post was wellpaid, the salary being about ;^400 a yearwith lodging in the Treasure House, butthe duties were endless. The kings actionwas on a par with the custom that prevailsin our own Foreign Office, of sending aman who understands China thoroughly toserve the country in Peru, and one who hasmastered Russian politics to Portugal. Happily Velazquez, for all that he wasregarded in Madrid as a rather lazy man,found time when he was Marshal of thePalace to paint the best of all his portraits. PLATE V.-ANTONIO THE ENGLISHMAN This was one of the dwarfs in the service of the king. Hisis one of the last portraits painted by Velazquez. The 6gure islife size, and hangs in the Prado at Madrid.
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VELAZQUEZ 45 He was honoured by Queen Mariana ofAustria, the kings second wife, who satfor him on several occasions, and the re-sults may be seen in Paris, Vienna, NewYork, and Madrid. Some of the portraits,painted without a suspicion of flattery, showthe absurd head-dress, the false hair, andthe extraordinary crinoline that were wornat the time, in all their ugliness, and forceus to see how great was the distance lyingbetween the royal house and any sense ofbeauty. Velazquez was not perhaps veryhappy with this work, because Nature hadendowed Philips wife with a face that wasalmost as dull and unresponsive to emotionas that of her lord and master; but aftera time children were born, and the courtpainter had a more sympathetic task. Hehas left portraits that are quite charmingof the Infanta Margarita and the Infante 46 VELAZQUEZ Philip Prosper; he painted both of thechildren while they were very young. Inpoint of fact, neither lived to grow up;doubtless they would have been uninterest-

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