Creation and Purpose

Velázquez painted several portraits of Infanta María Teresa, the daughter of King Philip IV of Spain, in the early 1650s. These portraits were commissioned by the king to be sent to potential suitors for his daughter's hand in marriage.

Versions of the Portraits

There are at least three known versions of these portraits:

• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: This version is believed to be the one sent to Archduke Leopold William in Brussels. It is a full-length portrait and is part of the Museum of Fine Arts collection.
• Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna: This version was sent to Emperor Ferdinand III in Vienna. It has been cut down at the top and bottom and is now displayed at the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
• Musée du Louvre, Paris: This version was sent to Louis XIV, whom María Teresa eventually married in 1660.

Specific Details of the Portraits

The portrait at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, shows María Teresa in a majestic pose, wearing a light dress against a dark background. She is depicted carrying two watches and a handkerchief, which adds to the formality and seriousness of the painting. The version at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is also a full-length portrait and is characterized by the freshness of its colors and brushwork, emphasizing the desirability of the fifteen-year-old princess.

Dates and Medium

The portraits were painted between 1651 and 1654, using oil on canvas as the medium.

Provenance

The portraits have had various owners throughout history. For example, the Boston version was exchanged by the Kunsthistorisches Museum with Hans von Pereira-Arnstein in 1921 and then sold to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, for $40,000.

These portraits are considered some of the strongest works from Velázquez's later period, showcasing his mastery in capturing the essence and dignity of his royal subjects.