William B. Jordan donates a Velázquez
Click on the image to magnify.
In 2016, William B. Jordan (1940-2018) donated the Portrait of Philip III,
a previously unknown work by Diego Velázquez, to American
Friends of the Prado Museum and is now on view in the
Velázquez galleries of the Prado.
Friends of the Prado Museum and is now on view in the
Velázquez galleries of the Prado.
The discovery of the work and attribution carried out by
Dr. Jordan was corroborated by the Museo del Prado;
it is an oil on canvas considered a preparatory portrait for
the artist´s epic composition of The expulsion of the Moriscos
lost in the Alcázar fire of 1734 in Madrid.
Download the catalogue introduction in PDF
William B. Jordan and the Portrait of Philip III.
The Portrait of Philip III adds a unique dimension to
the Velázquez galleries as the only sketch for a royal
portrait and a new source for study of the important
composition that was lost in the Alcázar fire.
The gift is a landmark commencement for American
Friends of the Prado Museum in its mission to support,
preserve and disseminate knowledge of the excellent
European artistic heritage held by the Museo del Prado.
See video
He will always remain a brilliant scholar, generous philanthropist, gentleman and friend.
Thank you Bill!