This 1651-54 portrait by Velazquez of the presumptive heir to the Spanish throne, Maria Teresa, as a fresh-faced young teen is a standout in the Met’s current seven-painting show of work the famed Spanish court painter. Framed by an elaborate wig with butterfly ribbons, Maria Teresa’s round features glow with an innocence that would vanish with her future marriage to French King Louis XIV. (At the Metropolitan Museum of Art through March 12th).
Inspired by 17th jewelry from the court of ‘Sun King’ Louis XIV and 19th century nature illustrations, Australian/US artist Timothy Horn ups the ante on his brooch-like sculptures by creating them in extra large scale. Here, mirror blown glass ‘pearls’ the size of large eggplants hang among lichen in a piece over five feet tall. (At PPOW Gallery in Chelsea through May 23rd).
Timothy Horn, Tree of Heaven 5 (Lichen), nickel-plated bronze, mirror blown glass, 66 x 45 x 6 inches, 2015.
