Goya y Lucientes, Francisco de – Antonio Pascual de Borbón y Sajonia, infante de España Part 2 Prado Museum

The portrait presents a man of considerable stature and apparent authority. He is depicted from the chest up, facing slightly towards the viewers left. The background is a warm ochre tone, providing a stark contrast to the subject’s complexion and attire. This limited palette directs attention squarely onto the individual portrayed.
Here we see a man with a fleshy face, marked by subtle lines suggesting age and perhaps weariness. His expression is complex; it isnt overtly joyful or sorrowful, but rather conveys a sense of guarded introspection. The eyes are particularly striking – they possess an intensity that seems to penetrate beyond the surface. A powdered wig, meticulously styled, sits atop his head, framing his face with a cloud of white curls.
The man is dressed in formal attire, indicative of his high social standing. He wears what appears to be a dark coat or cloak draped over his shoulders, and several ribbons and medals are visible across his chest, signifying honors and titles. The rendering of the fabrics is loose and suggestive rather than meticulously detailed, contributing to an overall impression of immediacy and spontaneity.
The artist’s brushwork is notably free and expressive. Strokes are visible throughout the composition, particularly in the treatment of the wig and the background. This technique lends a sense of dynamism and movement to what would otherwise be a static representation. The application of paint appears rapid and deliberate, suggesting an attempt to capture not just a likeness but also something of the subject’s character or essence.
Subtly, theres a feeling of melancholy present in this portrayal. While the man is clearly a figure of importance, the subdued expression and the somewhat somber color scheme hint at underlying burdens or anxieties. The loose brushwork could be interpreted as conveying a sense of impermanence, perhaps alluding to the fleeting nature of power and status. The overall effect is one of dignified restraint, suggesting a man accustomed to responsibility and aware of his place within a complex social hierarchy.