Portrait of the Infanta Maria Theresa of Spain


The infanta Maria Theresa of Spain or The infanta Maria Theresa aged 14 is a 1653 portrait by Diego Velázquez of Maria Theresa of Spain, then about thirteen years. It has been cut down at the top and bottom and is now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
It is considered one of the strongest of artist' late portraits, showing its subject in a majestic pose, illuminated in a light dress against a dark background. Its seriousness and formality is added to by the two watches she carries, whilst the handkerchief in her left hand is one of the painting's highlights.
Velasquez and his assistants created three paintings to be sent to potential husbands for the Infanta. Two other versions are on display in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Louvre.