Prince Balthasar Charles as a Hunter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prince Balthasar Charles as a Hunter |
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| Artist | Diego Velázquez |
| Year | 1635 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 191 cm × 103 cm (75 in × 41 in) |
| Location | Museo del Prado, Madrid |
Prince Balthasar Charles as a Hunter is a famous painting from 1635. It shows Balthasar Charles, Prince of Asturias, who was a young prince in Spain. The amazing artist Diego Velázquez painted it. Today, you can see this artwork at the Museo del Prado museum in Madrid, Spain.
A Royal Hunting Painting
King Philip IV of Spain asked Velázquez to paint several pictures about hunting. These paintings were meant to decorate a special hunting lodge. This lodge was a building used for hunting trips. It was called Torre de la Parada and was located near Madrid.
Velázquez painted two other hunting scenes for this place. These were El cardenal infante don Fernando de Austria cazador and Felipe IV cazador. All three paintings share some common features:
- They are tall and narrow.
- The person is shown from the waist up.
- They hold a hunting weapon.
- They wear hunting clothes.
What the Painting Shows
In the painting, Prince Balthasar Charles is dressed for hunting. He wears a dark cloak with sleeves and wide pants. He also has a grey shirt with fancy embroidery and a lace collar. He wears tall boots that reach his knees. The rifle he holds is just the right size for a child.
The Dogs
Two dogs are also in the painting, as they are often part of a hunting scene.
- One dog is very large. It is shown sleeping so it doesn't make the small prince look even smaller. This dog has big ears and its head rests on the ground.
- The other dog is smaller. It is a cinnamon-colored greyhound with bright eyes. Its head reaches the prince's hand. This dog looks like it's about to walk out of the painting.
The Landscape
The background of the painting shows a beautiful landscape. There is a large oak tree next to the prince. You can see the forest of Pardo behind him. Far in the distance, you can spot the blue mountains of Madrid. The sky is grey and full of clouds, making it look like an autumn day.
Many art experts agree that the way Velázquez painted the prince's head shows his incredible skill.
See also
- List of works by Diego Velázquez
- Charles Balthasar
