Infanta Margarita Teresa in a Blue Dress is a renowned portrait of Margaret Theresa of Spain, painted by Diego Velázquez in 1659. As one of Velázquez’s last paintings before his death, the piece measures 127 cm high by 107 cm wide and is admired for its delicate use of color in the vase of flowers that complements the Infanta’s dress and surroundings.
The Infanta Margarita was born in 1651 to King Philip IV of Spain and Mariana of Austria. Even as an infant, she was engaged to her cousin and future Emperor Leopold I. Her happy but brief life saw over twenty portraits completed by Velázquez, depicting members of the Royal Family and their acquaintances.
In this medium-sized oil on canvas painting, there are clear stylistic similarities between Velázquez’s brushwork and that reflected by the Infanta herself. The combination produces an exquisite image that perpetuates as an enduring symbol for art enthusiasts worldwide.
