Vermeer and Velaszuez

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…patronage of royalty, Velasquez had less freedom to engage in realism and experimental technique. This is exemplified in two portraits Velasquez made of King Philip IV, the first now viewable by x-ray. This earlier portrait had Philip with a natural appearance, but the later portrait flattered him with the air of royalty.22 In the end, I suppose that I prefer the realism, innovation, and artistic freedom which I associate with the works of Jan Vermeer.