Diego VelázquezSpanish, 1599–1660Head of a Laughing Boy
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Head of a Laughing Boy” now? Collection: State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg. Not on view at present. Checked August 29, 2026.
Saint Petersburg, Russia
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
Details
- Accession number
- ГЭ-334
In the catalog
Sources
- State Hermitage Museum
- Image: State Hermitage Museum — © State Hermitage Museum
In the life of Diego Velázquez
The whole life1622–1660 · Workplace
Madrid
September 1628
Rubens in Madrid
Peter Paul Rubens arrived in Madrid on a diplomatic mission, and Velázquez took him to see the Titians at the Escorial. Rubens thought highly of the young painter and, while hardly influencing his art, fired his desire to see Italy.
1629 · Workplace
Venice
July 1629
First journey to Italy
With the king's leave Velázquez left Madrid together with General Spinola, newly appointed to command Spain's forces in Italy. Suspicious Italians took Olivares's protégé for little short of a Spanish spy, but his own aim was “to perfect his professional skill”.
October 1629
A hasty departure from Venice for Rome
Velázquez reached Genoa at the end of August and went on via Milan to Venice. There hostility to Spaniards was fiercest, and in October he left hurriedly for Rome, where he stayed until the end of the following year.
1629–1630 · Workplace
Rome
