Velázquez Portraits: Truth in Painting

Although he established his career by making formal state portraits of the leading figures of the Spanish monarchy, some of Velázquez's (1599–1660) most immediate and captivating images are the bust-length likenesses he produced in Spain and during his travels in Italy. Seven exceptional portraits by Velázquez, including The Met's iconic Juan de Pareja (1650), are on view in this focused exhibition, which shows how the artist captured the variety of human experience. Two paintings from the Hispanic Society of America—Portrait of a Young Girl (ca. 1640) and Cardinal Camillo Astalli-Pamphili (ca. 1650–51)—were recently cleaned and restored at The Met and are also displayed.

Exhibition overview from museum website