This is the famous portrait depicting the pope Innocent X (kept in the Doria-Pamphilj Gallery of Rome) one of the most famous Diego Velasquez's masterpieces, which was made in 1650. This work of art is able to astonish you for its great realism and for some curiosities that I'm going to describe. Ready?

Velasquez was a famous Spanish painter who worked for the courts and other noble environments, a man who was specialized in portraits. Indeed, in a certain sense, we can say that this portrait, which seems to also give a clear impression of the psychological side of the character that is represented on the canvas, brought Velasquez to become a true master in the genre of portraiture, certainly very appreciated in the european courts. Everything contributes, in fact, not only to depict with realism the pope, but also to outline a framework of the his character, even in a psychological way, in addition to describe the power and elegance, the wealth and the virtues.

Let's see, for example, the beautiful, upholstered chair, with that red that evokes a sense of power. But I must mention the two magnificent carved and finished knobs. Innocent X is holding in his hand a letter on which we can read: "To the Health of N. ro Sign.re / Innocentiox/ Diego de Silva / Velàzsquez de the Chamber of S. M. s Catt.ca". The extreme naturalism achieved by Velasquez could be also found in the "mozzetta", the white cape of the popes that falls on the Innocent X's legs. Thanks to fast brush strokes Velasquez was managed to find an extreme realism.

But now let's have a better look at the face of the pope, a face that tells us a lot about the character of the subject depicted. Deep wrinkles and folds of the face, combined with the skin and the lips, are showing us how the pontiff was. But let us dwell a moment on the eyes, those eyes that seem to peer observers. Although the head is turned to the right, the gaze aims instead of on us. Behold, these eyes are telling us all the character of pope Innocent X, a man who is known for being a little biit grumpy, quick to anger and slow to forgiveness, a man who was very influenced by Donna Olimpia Maidalchini, the great protagonist of the rroman events of the half of XVII century. A pope who, however, knew how to read inside, he knew how to be magnanimous, but also hard. And all of these qualities we find in those eyes, masterfully depicted by Velasquez.

But now it is time to tell you something more about thhe moment of the presentation of the work of art made by the spanish painter. What happened when the painter introduced the painting to the pope? It seems that the patron, Innocent X, had some doubts. Apparently, the work was so realistic that was able to depict the pontiff under different lights, with its merits and defects. And probably due to one of the latter, at first the pope Innocent X almost refused the painting: it was so intense, that even he, in his severe frown, verified that there was too much anger and hardness. So it is probably the most famous mastepiece of the Doria-Pamphilj Gallery of Rome, but surely there is something more to see, other famous masters to know, like the one of the Caravaggio's works of art that are host here. To know more click here...