Spanish school, following Velázquez's models; XIX century.

Spanish school, following Velázquez's models; XIX century.
"The Triumph of Bacchus".
Oil on canvas. Relined.
Measurements: 127 x 99 cm.
In this canvas the author makes a copy of the famous work of Velázquez, currently preserved in the Prado Museum and painted between 1628 and 1629, at a smaller size (the original canvas measures 165 x 255 cm). It is the first work with a mythological theme painted by Velázquez, who had already been established at the court since 1623. The subject matter and the format of the work itself reveal new ambitions of the young painter, probably stimulated by his knowledge of the royal collections and, possibly, by the influence of Rubens, whom he met during the latter's second stay in Spain, in 1628-1629.
This work is probably a painting made by one of the copyists of the Prado. In its rooms, traditionally a multitude of future artists have had the opportunity to learn, thanks to the copying of the works of the great masters. Despite being a very common practice during the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, today the Prado Museum is the only museum in the capital that admits copyists in a reduced way so that they can not interrupt the transit of visitors.