This is thought to have been Henry Clay Frick’s favorite painting in the collection. One of many portraits of King Philip IV of Spain painted by Velázquez, the canvas is known as the “Fraga Philip” for the town in which it was painted in 1644.
For most of his life, Philip was occupied with the Franco-Spanish War, which lasted from 1635 to 1669. In 1644, Velázquez accompanied the king on a campaign to Catalonia, where the Spanish army led the successful siege of Lérida against the French. In the town of Fraga, the king’s headquarters, in a dilapidated, makeshift, rather dark studio, Philip posed for this portrait dressed in the silver-and-rose garments he wore during the campaign—with its red and yellow alluding to the heraldic colors of the region of Aragon.
Velázquez’s masterful technique is evident everywhere in this painting—giving a somewhat summary description, but with total control of the brush. The brilliant rose tunic, with its silvers, whites, and grays, stands out against the plain umber background. The geometrical forms of the hat and the bold line of the baton in Philip’s hand seem almost like abstract elements set against the elaborate details of his clothing. And then there’s that extraordinary face, which balances the victorious attitude of the body with the intimacy of the king’s gaze.
Sent to Madrid ahead of the king, the portrait was shown in the church of San Martín for a mass celebrating the victory. It was placed where Philip would sit, his painted effigy effectively acting as a proxy for the king.
King Philip IV of Spain
Philip IV (1605–65), who succeeded to the throne in 1621, was a weak ruler but a lavish patron of the arts and letters. He promoted the Spanish theater, built the Palacio del Buen-Retiro, enlarged the royal collections, and was Velázquez’ most ardent supporter. In 1644 Velázquez accompanied the King on a campaign to Catalonia, where the Spanish army led a successful siege of Lérida against the French. In the town of Fraga, the King’s headquarters, in a dilapidated, makeshift studio, Philip posed for this portrait dressed in the silver-and-rose costume he wore during the campaign. Although Velázquez painted numerous portraits of Philip IV, this is the only one dating from the 1640s.
Source: Art in The Frick Collection: Paintings, Sculpture, Decorative Arts, New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1996.
Royal family of Spain. Ducal family of Parma, at Parma (1748); at Wartegg Castle, Switzerland; at Schwarzau am Steinfelde, Austria (1864); at Liechtenegg Castle, Austria (after 1907); and at Vienna. Sold by Prince Elias of Bourbon-Parma to Agnew in 1910. Sold by Knoedler (with Scott and Fowles) to Henry C. Frick, 1911.
Source: Paintings in The Frick Collection: French, Italian and Spanish. Volume II. New York: The Frick Collection, 1968.
