Portrait of Charles IV of Spain

Charles III died in December 1788, and institutions across Spain suddenly needed the new king's face on their walls. The Royal Academy of History in Madrid ordered its pair of royal portraits in March 1789, dealing with the painter through one of its own members, the statesman Jovellanos. Goya had just been promoted to painter to the king. Both canvases were done by September, and the Academy still keeps the receipt he signed for 6,000 reales for the two. That was a generous price, which is one reason scholars think he did most of this one himself rather than leave it to assistants. Charles stands in embroidered red with the Golden Fleece at his throat. The crown stays off his head, set on a table beside him over a mantle embroidered with lilies and lions.