King Midas Andrea Vaccaro (1604-1670)

The portrait presents a man in regal attire, viewed in profile from the right. He is depicted with a pronounced nose and a thick, dark beard that reaches his chest. A golden crown sits atop his head, its design simple yet imposing. The subject wears a luxurious fur-lined cloak of deep crimson, draped over his shoulders, partially obscuring what appears to be a lighter garment beneath.
The artist’s use of chiaroscuro is striking; the figure emerges from a dark background, illuminated by a focused light source that highlights the planes of his face and the texture of his beard. This dramatic lighting creates a sense of solemnity and introspection. The mans gaze is directed upwards and to the left, suggesting contemplation or perhaps regret.
The composition emphasizes the subject’s status and authority through the crown and cloak. However, the somber expression and the dark background introduce an element of melancholy. There is a certain weightiness in his posture and features that hints at a burden beyond mere royal responsibility. The fur lining on the cloak could be interpreted as a symbol of wealth and power, but its richness also contributes to the overall feeling of isolation.
The painting’s subtexts revolve around themes of desire, consequence, and the potential pitfalls of unchecked ambition. The mans profile view, traditionally associated with depictions of rulers or figures of importance, is rendered not as a display of triumph, but rather as an expression of quiet suffering. It suggests that power, even when outwardly displayed, can be accompanied by inner turmoil and regret.