Elisabeth of France had died in 1644, and the king had married Mariana of Austria, whom Velázquez now painted in many attitudes. In 1652 he was specially chosen by the king to fill the high office of aposentador mayor, which imposed on him the duty of looking after the quarters occupied by the court—a responsible function which was no sinecure and one which interfered with the exercise of his art.Carr et al. 2006, p. 46. Yet far from indicating any decline, his works of this period are amongst the highest examples of his style.Carr et al. 2006, p. 47.
Elisabeth of France had died in 1644, and the king had married Mariana of Austria, whom Velázquez now painted in many attitudes. In 1652 he was specially chosen by the king to fill the high office of aposentador mayor, which imposed on him the duty of looking after the quarters occupied by the court—a responsible function which was no sinecure and one which interfered with the exercise of his artCarr et al. 2006, p. 46. Yet far from indicating any decline, his works of this period are amongst the highest examples of his style.C.arr et al. 2006, p. 47.