The painting titled “The Buffoon Calabacillas,” which is also known by the mistaken name “The Idiot of Coria,” is a work by Diego Velazquez completed in 1639. This oil on canvas measures 83 x 106 cm and belongs to the Baroque art movement. It is a portrait genre artwork, currently housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
The artwork depicts a man sitting with his legs crossed and his hands clasped in front of him. His attire suggests that he might be a court jester or buffoon, evident from the somewhat disheveled costume with ruffled lace at the collar and cuffs. His expression is joyful, with a broad smile on his face, conveying a sense of immediacy and personal engagement with the viewer. The background is relatively dark, with a golden orb and a reddish-brown object sitting next to him on the ground. This minimal setting serves to focus the viewer’s attention on the figure and his expression. Velazquez’s masterful use of light and shadow highlights the textures of the clothing and the lively features of the subject’s face, which are characteristic of his Baroque style.