Philip IV, King of Spain 

Diego Velázquez painted this portrait of Philip IV, King of Spain, using oil on canvas. The composition is dominated by the king's figure, which is set against a dark, neutral background, pushing him forward. The eye is drawn to the King’s elaborate attire, particularly the red and silver embroidered jacket, its textures rendered with a visible brushwork, suggesting wealth and status. This painting operates within the semiotic system of royal portraiture, but Velázquez destabilizes the established conventions. The controlled colour palette and meticulous detailing create a certain tension. The way the textures and patterns of the clothes are painted create a visual code that, when decoded, reflects the intricacies of power and representation. Consider the function of the portrait, it presents a public image while also hinting at the private self. It is through the handling of paint and the construction of form that Velázquez invites us to question the nature of representation and the complexities of royal identity. The artwork serves as a visual discourse of power, status and representation, with its interpretation constantly evolving through time.