Prince Baltasar Carlos in the Riding School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prince Baltasar Carlos in the Riding School |
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| Spanish: Lección de equitación del príncipe Baltasar Carlos | |
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| Artist | Diego Velázquez |
| Year | circa 1636 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 144.2 cm × 97 cm (56.8 in × 38 in) |
| Location | National Gallery, London |
| Owner | Grosvenor Estate |
Prince Baltasar Carlos in the Riding School is a famous painting by Diego Velázquez. He painted it around 1636 at the Palacio del Buen Retiro near Madrid. The painting shows Prince Baltasar Carlos learning to ride a horse.
There are two versions of this painting. One is currently on loan to the National Gallery in London. The other is in the Wallace Collection, also in London. Experts sometimes think the second version was painted by Velázquez himself, or by artists who worked in his studio.
About the Painting's History
The original painting was shown at the National Gallery in London in 2007 and 2008. It was a special loan for people to see.
The other version of the painting was first mentioned in 1828. A Scottish artist named David Wilkie wrote about it. He said it was a "duplicate" of the painting owned by Robert Grosvenor, 2nd Earl Grosvenor. Later, in 1856, Richard Seymour-Conway, 4th Marquess of Hertford bought this painting. It then became part of the Wallace Collection.
What the Paintings Show
Both paintings show Infante Baltasar Carlos when he was about seven years old. He is riding a horse in front of the Palacio del Buen Retiro. Behind him, there is a person with dwarfism.
The horse in the painting is doing a special move called a levade. This is a difficult trick where the horse lifts its front legs and balances on its back legs. It's part of haute école, which is a very advanced style of classical dressage (horse training).
In the original painting, you can see other people too.
- Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares is there. He was a very important minister to the King and the prince's riding teacher. He is getting a lance (a long spear) to give to the prince.
- Next to him is Alonso Martínez de Espinar. He was known for his book on archery.
- Also watching is Juan Mateos, who wrote a book about hunting.
- On a balcony of the palace, you can see King Philip IV and Queen Isabel. They are watching the scene below.
See also
In Spanish: La lección de equitación del príncipe Baltasar Carlos para niños
- List of works by Diego Velázquez
