Portrait of the Count Duke of Olivares 1624

Diego Velázquez's "Portrait of the Count Duke of Olivares," painted in 1624, is a striking example of Spanish Baroque portraiture. The work depicts the influential statesman Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares, in a grand pose, with his hand resting on a table draped with a rich red cloth. Velázquez captures the sitter's commanding presence through his intricate detailing of the Count-Duke's elaborate clothing, including his gold chain and sword. This full-length portrait, now housed at the Museo de Arte de Sao Paulo, showcases Velázquez's ability to convey both the power and personality of his subjects.