Focus on this artwork and discuss the Theme.
King Phillip IV commissioned Velázquez to paint a series of portraits on the theme of the hunt, all of which were to adorn the hunting lodge that was built in the mountain of Pardo, close to Madrid, called Torre de la Parada. This pavilion was later converted into an art museum with a long series of Ovid's Metamorphosis, painted by Rubens. This pavilion was reserved exclusively for the Court, and no one else had access to it. It became one of the most important collections on the subject of mythology and a variety of nudes.
Velázquez painted two other works for this location on the theme of the hunt: El cardenal infante don Fernando de Austria cazador and Felipe IV cazador. The three works have something in common: a long format, the figure presented in three quartes, hunting weapon in hand and hunting clothes on the protagonists. It is known the painter created many more works on this subject but none of them are in Spain.
Torre de la Parada Madrid