1600s Spanish children trapped in the bodies & costumes of their elders

 1550s Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Carlos, Prince of Asturias, also known as Don Carlos (1545-1568), was the eldest son and heir-apparent of King Philip II of Spain

During this period, children of titled or landed nobles were dressed as miniature adults reflecting their particular social status, where children were often married or promised in marriage at very young ages to cement social, political, & economic alliances.  The portrait of an heir asserts their position of birth, wealth, & power of the family.  From the 16C to the 18C, sumptuary laws dictated what people of an established social status were allowed to wear, such as rich textiles, laces, jewelry, & accessories.  It was hoped that these laws would maintain the social order with the aristocracy at the top of the heap.  Unfortunately, or fortunately, these mandates were difficult to enforce.  

 1560s Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Portrait of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Hungary and Croatia, King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria (1552-1612)

  1569 Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Infanta Isabella, daughter of King Philip of Spain

 1570s Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia (1566–1633) and her monkey

 1570s Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Of Austria Archduke Wenceslaus of Austria (1561-1578) He was the young Grand Prior of the Order of Malta.

 1575 Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588)  Portrait of Infante Ferdinand of Spain holding a bird

 1575 Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Infantas Isabella Clara Eugenia and Catalina Micaela of Spain

 1579 Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588)  Infantes Don Diego and Don Felipe Detail

 1580 Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) The Infant Don Felipe

 1580s Attributed to Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Isabella Clara Eugenia and Catharina, Daughters of Philip II, King of Spain.  Also portrayed are a bird & dog.

 1602 Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (Spanish artist, 1553–1608)  Infantin Anna (1601-1666) Ana Maria Mauricia Infanta, daughter of Philip III and Margaret of Austria, was the eldest of 8 children.

 1602 Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (Spanish artist, 1553–1608)  Infantin Anna (1601-1666) Ana Maria Mauricia Infanta, daughter of Philip III and Margaret of Austria, was the eldest of 8 children. Detail

 1602 Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (Spanish artist, 1553–1608)  Portrait of the Infanta Ana Mauricia of Austria. (Daughter of Philip III and Margaret of Austria, Styria kings)  There were a few exceptions to the adult-clothes-only rule, including toddler dresses, coral teething necklaces & pieces of coral, such as the one being held here, for teething purposes

 1604 Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (Spanish artist, 1553–1608) Infant Anna

 1607 Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (Spanish artist, 1553–1608)  Infantin Maria Anna (1606-1646)

 1607 Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (Spanish artist, 1553–1608) The Infantes Don Felipe and Doña Anna

 1610 Bartolomé González y Serrano (1564–1627), A 9-year old Anne of Austria, future Queen of France, and her brother, a 5-year old Philip, future Philip IV, the King of Spain portrayed with a small dog

 1612 Bartolomé González y Serrano (1564–1627), Alfonso, the son of Philip III of Spain

 1612 Bartolomé González y Serrano (1564–1627), Infante Carlos (1607-1632) with his sister, Infanta Maria Anna (1606-1646)

  1612 Bartolomé González y Serrano (1564–1627), The children of Philip III of Spain (Ferdinand, Alfonso and Margarita)

 1613 Bartolomé González y Serrano (Spanish artist, 1564–1627) Portrait of Alfonso el Caro and Ana Margarita with dog