1644 Portrait of Philip IV by Velazquez

In 1644, another painting of Philip IV was also created by Velazquez. This painting was created while Philip was travelling to seige the town of Lerida. He actually contacted the Queen to bring back the painting to Madrid. In this painting, Philip IV now has facial hair, is holding a staff on his side, and is wearing a much more ornate and colorful jacket. He looks much more mature in this portrait than in the original. One of the reasons for the difference is that the king was worried about losing political power. The city of Lerida was in northern Spain and was within the kingdom's sphere of influence so losing it would have looked very dangerous for Philip IV's power. The 1644 portrait made the king look powerful, which was an attempt to keep confidence in the monarch's authority.