Infanta Margarita Teresa in a Blue Dress facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Infanta Margarita Teresa in a Blue Dress |
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| Artist | Diego Velázquez |
| Year | 1659 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 127 cm × 107 cm (50 in × 42 in) |
| Location | Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna |
Infanta Margarita Teresa in a Blue Dress is a famous painting by the Spanish artist Diego Velázquez. He painted it in 1659, just a year before he passed away. This beautiful artwork shows Margaret Theresa of Spain, a young princess. You can see this painting today at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. It is painted with oil on canvas and measures 127 cm tall and 107 cm wide.
A Princess's Portraits
Velázquez painted many pictures of Infanta Margarita Teresa. These paintings were special because they showed her growing up. The princess was going to marry her uncle, Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor. He lived far away in Vienna.
The portraits were sent to Leopold. This way, he could see what his future wife looked like as she grew older. Margarita Teresa is also the little princess you see in Velázquez's other famous painting, Las Meninas.
Velázquez's Art in Vienna
The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna has more paintings by Diego Velázquez. Besides this portrait of Infanta Margarita, you can also find Infanta Maria Teresa there. Another painting is Portrait of Prince Philip Prospero.
Many people think this portrait of Infanta Margarita is the best of the three. It truly captures her charm.
Looking Closely at the Painting
In this painting, Diego Velázquez used a special way of painting. He used loose brushstrokes. This means the paint looks a bit messy up close. But if you stand back, all the brushstrokes blend together. Then, the picture looks clear and real.
Infanta Margarita is eight years old in this portrait. She has a serious look on her face. She wears a fancy blue silk dress. The dress has shiny silver details, which was the style in Spain back then. The most noticeable part is her huge, wide skirt called a crinoline. It has wide lace around the collar and edges.
In one hand, she holds a brown fur muff. This might have been a gift from Vienna. The young princess looks pretty and inviting. Her face is pale, which stands out against the blue and silver colors of her dress. In the background, there is a tall table with a round mirror behind it.
See also
- List of works by Diego Velázquez
