Bidspirit auction | Portrait of Count Don Antonio,

Portrait of Count Don Antonio, known as “El Inglés”. Spanish School, 19th Century, after Diego Velázquez - Oil on canvas. Measurements 142 x 107.5 cm. The composition depicts a full-length portrait of a gentleman identified as Count Don Antonio, known as “El Inglés, ” shown in a composed and dignified stance, accompanied by a hunting dog that underscores the noble and aristocratic character of the scene. The sitter wears sober dark attire, with doublet and hose rendered through loose, textured brushwork, while holding a hat in his left hand and the dog’s leash in his right, establishing a visual dialogue between man and animal. The face, marked by a firm expression and direct gaze, is modeled with notable psychological presence, recalling court portraits of the 17th Century. The neutral architectural background focuses attention on the figure, creating a restrained and elegant atmosphere. The painterly execution, characterized by broad, impasto brushstrokes and an appearance of spontaneity, clearly refers to the Velázquez idiom, particularly in the handling of flesh tones, whites and tonal transitions. The work belongs to the 19th-century tradition of copies and reinterpretations of great masters of the Spanish Baroque, produced for academic or collecting purposes, and reflects the lasting influence of Diego Velázquez on Spanish painting of the 19th Century. The painting stands out for its visual strength, compositional balance and its confident reinterpretation of an iconic model in the history of portraiture.