"Count-Duke of Olivares on Horseback"

Diego Velazquez - Oil
The Equestrian Portrait of Count-Duke de Olivares is a painting by Spanish artist Diego Velázquez, finished in 1634. It is housed in the Museo del Prado, Madrid. The subject of the picture is Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares, Prime Minister of Spain during the reign of Philip IV. He is portrayed riding a horse, an honour generally reserved for monarchs at the time. He wears a plumed headgear and a gilt cuirass, and holds a command baton. The composition refers to Olivares' military leadership in the service of King Philip.