María Teresa (1638–1683), Infanta of Spain
1651-54
Velázquez paints the young Infanta María Teresa with a massive, curly halo of brown hair adorned with giant, shimmering silver bows that seem to outweigh her head. Her pale face, flushed with rosy cheeks, stands out starkly against the dark background, giving her a doll-like, almost fragile appearance. This portrait captures the future Queen of France before her famous marriage to Louis XIV, showcasing the heavy, formal fashion of the Spanish Habsburg court. The artist uses loose brushstrokes for the hair, contrasting with the smooth, porcelain finish of her skin.
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