Portrait of Francisco Lezcano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Francisco Lezcano, el Niño de Vallecas |
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| Artist | Diego Velázquez |
| Year | 1643–1645 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 106 cm × 83 cm (42 in × 33 in) |
| Location | Museo del Prado, Madrid |
Portrait of Francisco Lezcano or The "Niño de Vallecas" is a famous painting by the Spanish artist Diego Velázquez. He painted it between 1643 and 1645. The painting shows Francisco Lezcano, who was a "jester" at the court of Philip IV of Spain. A jester was a special entertainer who made the king and his court laugh. Francisco Lezcano was also known as Lezcanillo or el Vizcaíno. Today, you can see this painting at the Prado Museum in Madrid, where it has been since 1819.
Who Was Francisco Lezcano?
Francisco Lezcano was one of several jesters and people with dwarfism who lived at the Spanish royal court. Velázquez painted many of these individuals. These portraits are special because they show these people with dignity and respect. This was unusual for the time.
What Does the Painting Show?
In the painting, Francisco Lezcano is holding a deck of cards. He is wearing clothes that look like hunting attire. In the background, you can see mountains around Madrid. This suggests the painting was done outdoors. It might have been painted while Lezcano was with the king on a hunting trip.
Velázquez created this painting to be displayed in the Torre de la Parada. This was a hunting lodge, a special building used by the king for hunting. It was located outside Madrid, in the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, near El Pardo.
Journey of the Painting
Over the years, the painting moved to different royal locations. On July 28, 1714, it was moved to the Palacio del Pardo. Later, in 1772, it was found in the home of Prince Javier in the new Palacio Real in Madrid.
By 1794, the painting was in a room called the "Pieza de Trucos" in the same palace. It was around this time that it got its other well-known name, Niño de Vallecas.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Lezcano, el Niño de Vallecas para niños
- List of works by Diego Velázquez
