Count-Duke of Olivares on Horseback, after Velazquez 19th-20th century

Curator: Denman Waldo Ross's "Count-Duke of Olivares on Horseback, after Velazquez," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents a compelling revisiting of a historical figure. The dimensions are roughly 96 by 72 centimeters. Editor: My immediate impression is one of controlled power and ambition, but also unease. The Count-Duke looks ready for battle but there's instability in the horse's rearing stance. Curator: Absolutely. The equestrian portrait has long served as a potent symbol of authority and dominion. Ross's rendition prompts us to ask: what socio-political commentary is made through the restaging of Velazquez's original image? Editor: The baton he wields isn’t just a symbol of command; it's an echo of royal power, a visual link to the king he represents. The horse itself speaks to both nobility and untamed strength, reflecting Olivares's complex role. Curator: A restaging like this allows us to re-evaluate the original's narrative in our contemporary context. What aspects of power and representation are being examined in Ross's interpretation? Editor: Considering the history of portraiture, revisiting these archetypes allows for interesting visual interpretations of power. I wonder, what are we meant to take away when seeing this familiar symbol displayed anew?