The Boy from Vallecas (Francisco Lezcano), Velázquez

A dwarf who worked as a jester in the court of Prince Baltasar Carlos, also suffered from mental health issues, diagnosed at that time as oligophrenia. Seated in a rural setting with a coast, lies the Child of Vallecas, with an air of nonchalance, almost defiant. In his hands, he holds what appears to be a deck of cards, a representation of his way of life. The expression and focal points (face and hands) are illuminated with sublime mastery. The disabilities Velázquez was keen to paint raise a moral controversy to this day, with much debate over whether the artist seeks to humanize and dignify, or on the contrary, this type of portrait harbors an implicit disdain for the diminished. This work by Velázquez is also well-known as Portrait of Francisco Lezcano.
Another portrait of a jester is that of Don Sebastián de Morra.