The Jester Calabacillas (Madrid) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Jester Calabacillas |
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| Spanish: El bufón Calabacillas | |
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| Artist | Diego Velázquez |
| Year | 1637–1639 |
| Medium | oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 106.5 cm × 82.5 cm (41.9 in × 32.5 in) |
| Location | Museo del Prado, Madrid |
The painting The Jester Calabacillas is a famous portrait by the Spanish artist Diego Velázquez. It shows a man named Don Juan Martín Martín, who was also known as "Juan de Calabazas" or "El Búfón Calabacillas." He worked as a jester, or entertainer, at the court of King Philip IV of Spain. This painting is now kept at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain. Velázquez was known for painting everyone, from kings to jesters, with great respect and dignity.
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Meet the Artist: Diego Velázquez
Diego Velázquez was one of the most important painters in Spanish history. He lived from 1599 to 1660. Velázquez was the main painter for King Philip IV of Spain. This meant he painted many portraits of the royal family and people at the court. He was known for his realistic style and how he captured the true feeling of his subjects.
Who Was Calabacillas?
Juan Martín Martín, known as "Calabacillas," was a jester at the Spanish royal court. Jesters were special entertainers who made the king and his court laugh. They often had unique personalities or physical traits. Calabacillas was known for certain habits, like rubbing his hands together. Even though he was a jester, Velázquez painted him with the same care and respect he gave to kings. This shows how Velázquez valued every person he painted.
About the Painting
The Jester Calabacillas was painted between 1637 and 1639. It is an oil painting on canvas. The painting shows Calabacillas in a calm pose. This is interesting because he was known for being quite active. Velázquez chose to show him in a quiet moment. This helps us see the jester as a real person, not just an entertainer. The painting is a great example of Velázquez's skill in showing human dignity.
Other Paintings of Calabacillas
Calabacillas was painted more than once by Velázquez. Besides the painting in the Museo del Prado in Spain, there is another famous portrait of him. This other painting is called The Jester Calabacillas (Cleveland). It is located in a museum in the United States. Both paintings help us learn more about this interesting person from history.
See also
In Spanish: El bufón Calabacillas para niños
- List of works by Diego Velázquez
