Felipe III Rey de España | Francisco de Goya after Velázquez | 1778 | Etching

There are very few objects in the world of art collecting where you can say with certainty: this was made by one of history's greatest artists, after a painting by another of history's greatest artists, nearly 250 years ago. This is one of them.

In 1778, Francisco de Goya was commissioned to produce etchings of the most important works housed in Spain's royal palaces — a program meant to publicize Spain's artistic treasures both within its borders and abroad. The result was a series of etchings after the paintings of Diego Velázquez, made directly from the originals hanging in the Royal Palace of Madrid. Felipe III Rey de España — Philip III, King of Spain on horseback — was among the five equestrian portraits announced in the Gazeta de Madrid on July 28, 1778.

This impression is from the first or second edition, printed before the beveling of the plate and without watermark — among the earliest and most faithful impressions pulled from the original copper. The plate is catalogued as Delteil 6 / Harris 5 and is preserved in Spain's National Chalcography Museum. Examples of this work are held at Harvard Art Museums, Wesleyan University's Davison Art Center, and the Fundación Goya en Aragón.

This specific impression was purchased at Sotheby's London, Old Master Prints sale, December 3–10, 2021, Lot 100, for £4,032 — with the original Sotheby's purchase receipt available. Provenance of this caliber is rare in the private market and removes all doubt about authenticity.

The impression is in exceptional quality — lines crisp, tonal range well preserved, paper sound. Presented in a silver-toned wood frame with wide cream mat and gold inner fillet.

Details

Artist: Francisco de Goya (1746–1828) after Diego Velázquez (1599–1660)

Title: Felipe III Rey de España

Date: 1778, first or second edition, before beveling, no watermark

Medium: Etching on laid paper

Catalogue: Delteil 6 / Harris 5

Plate size: 380mm x 310mm

Framed size: 22.5" x 19.5"

Frame: Silver-toned wood with cream mat and gold inner fillet

Provenance: Sotheby's London, Old Master Prints, December 2021, Lot 100

Condition: Exceptional; crisp impression; paper sound