Attributed to Sebastián de Herrera Barnuevo

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This work has not been restored for many years. The canvas has an old lining, and the paint layer is still stable and even. The painting is quite dirty, and the retouches are clearly discolored and visible to the naked eye. However, it can also be seen that the condition of the paint layer is very good and un-abraded. Although the old restorations will be removed when cleaned, the actual amount of loss will be quite minimal, given the scale and period of the work. The details within the figure and his elaborate costume are beautifully preserved, and the work will certainly improve dramatically if properly restored.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Sebastián de Herrera Barnuevo was a painter, draughtsman, sculptor and architect.  He studied with Alonso Cano and was probably his chief assistant in Madrid during the 1640s.  In 1662, he was appointed First Painter (pintor de cámera) of Carlos II, a position which he held until his death.

This portrait is similar in type to two other full length portraits of Carlos as a young boy of circa 1670, one in the collection of the Hermitage Museum and the other in Fundación Lázaro Galdiano, Madrid.  In those portraits the young king stands in the same pose with long wavy hair, looking out confidently at the viewer;  the costumes are very similar, though red rather than black as in the present portrait, and he holds the hat in his left hand and a scepter in his right hand.