Statue of Velázquez, Bronze memorial statue at Prado Museum entrance, Madrid, Spain
The Statue of Velázquez is a bronze figure on a granite and limestone pedestal placed at the main entrance of the Prado Museum in Madrid. The sculptor depicted him seated, holding a palette and brush, facing the street.
The statue was designed by sculptor Antonio Susillo in the late 19th century, cast by a well-known foundry, and placed at the museum to honor Diego Velázquez, the 17th-century Spanish court painter. The choice of the Prado entrance was deliberate, since the museum holds the largest collection of his work.
The statue shows Velázquez holding a palette and brush, as if caught mid-work rather than posed for ceremony. Many visitors stop here before entering the building, treating the figure as a natural starting point for the visit.
The statue stands right in front of the main facade of the Prado, so it is easy to spot when you approach from the street. Walking around the base lets you see all sides of the pedestal, which are worth a closer look.
The pedestal has inscriptions carved on different sides noting the birth and death years of Velázquez, details that are easy to miss if you only look at the figure from the front. Stepping around the base reveals these small but telling marks that give the monument a more personal tone.
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