María Teresa (1638–1683), Infanta of Spain
Originally bust-length, this painting was subsequently cut down. Velázquez’s likeness of María Teresa wearing a wig with butterfly ribbons served as a model for his assistants to copy as they met the high demand for official portraits of the young princess. The daughter of King Philip IV, María Teresa received the attention of suitors across Europe who would have known her appearance primarily from the circulation of these portraits. In a powerful 1660 political alliance, she married her first cousin, Louis XIV, and became queen of France.
Artwork Details
- Title: María Teresa (1638–1683), Infanta of Spain
- Artist: Velázquez (Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez) (Spanish, Seville 1599–1660 Madrid)
- Date: 1651–54
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: Overall 13 1/2 x 15 3/4 in. (34.3 x 40 cm); original painted surface 12 7/8 x 15 1/8 in. (32.7 x 38.4 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: The Jules Bache Collection, 1949
- Object Number: 49.7.43
- Curatorial Department: European Paintings
More Artwork
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Related Content
Perspectives
Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.
Timeline of Art History
Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.