'X, un Mestizo'
*THIS IS A WORK AND IDEA IN PROGRESS. RACE IS AN IDEA THAT LACKS A BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATION BUT IS SOCIALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY REAL. THUS, THE IDEA OF RACE CAN CHANGE AS IT EXISTS INSOFAR AS PEOPLE USE RACE TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AND OTHERS RACIALLY.
Developing from her research into the histories of the roles of buffoons in 17th century Spain’s Royal court, where carnivalesque figures where used to legitimise and maintain racist cultural beliefs and behaviours, she continues to analyse the rhetoric and performance of comedians in the British black comedy circuit. Working to capture through full body portraiture, pulling on the tradition of jester portraiture, the personas imitated by comedians, distilling their contribution to the dialogue on race in the UK.Velázquez was not just successful as a painter. From his arrival he had continued to rise up the ranks in the royal household. In 1636 he was made Assistant to the Wardrobe - a position of trust and responsibility.
He continued to be busy with commissions however, producing paintings for the new Palacio del Buen Retiro, and other residencies. A large proportion of his work was made up of royal portraits of the king and his family including the queen, their children, and their court jesters and dwarfs.
In 1643 Velázquez was promoted again, to Gentleman of the Bedchamber. He was also made superintendent of the palace works. In 1647 he was put in charge of a project to modernise the old Alcázar palace.
Developing from her research into the histories of the roles of buffoons in 17th century Spain’s Royal court, where carnivalesque figures where used to legitimise and maintain racist cultural beliefs and behaviours, she continues to analyse the rhetoric and performance of comedians in the British black comedy circuit. Working to capture through full body portraiture, pulling on the tradition of jester portraiture, the personas imitated by comedians, distilling their contribution to the dialogue on race in the UK.Velázquez was not just successful as a painter. From his arrival he had continued to rise up the ranks in the royal household. In 1636 he was made Assistant to the Wardrobe - a position of trust and responsibility.
He continued to be busy with commissions however, producing paintings for the new Palacio del Buen Retiro, and other residencies. A large proportion of his work was made up of royal portraits of the king and his family including the queen, their children, and their court jesters and dwarfs.
In 1643 Velázquez was promoted again, to Gentleman of the Bedchamber. He was also made superintendent of the palace works. In 1647 he was put in charge of a project to modernise the old Alcázar palace.
