Statue of Velázquez

The Statue of Velázquez shows a painter seated with palette and brush on a light stone pedestal at the entrance of a major museum in Madrid. The bronze figure rests on a base of pale stone that serves as a focal point for museum visitors.

The memorial was created at the end of the 19th century to honor an influential painter from the past. An art organization commissioned a well-known bronze foundry to cast this figure.

The monument honors a painter whose work shaped Spanish art history and continues to draw visitors from around the world. The depiction holding palette and brush shows the craftsmanship of an artist whose influence on painting was fundamental.

The memorial stands directly at the museum entrance and serves many visitors as an orientation point for navigating the museum grounds. Its position at the entrance makes it easy to find and identify when you arrive.

The pedestal bears inscriptions on different sides that mark the birth and death of the honored artist, giving him a lasting presence in public space. These details are easy to overlook if you only view the statue from a distance.

Location: Jerónimos

Inception: 1899

Architects: Vicente Lampérez y Romea

Creator: Aniceto Marinas

Official opening: June 14, 1899

Made from material: bronze, granite, limestone

Part of: Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro, a landscape of Arts and Sciences

GPS coordinates: 40.41372,-3.69271

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:02