| Chafariz d’El-Rey | |
|---|---|
| English: The King's Fountain | |
 | |
| Year | c. 1570, perhaps continuing until c. 1580 |
| Subject | Chafariz d’El-Rey |
| Location | Pálacio da Bacalhôa, Azeitão |
The King's Fountain (Portuguese: Chafariz d'El-Rey) is a 16th century oil painting by an anonymous Flemish painter. The work depicts a scene in front of the Chafariz de El-Rei (English: The King's Fountain) in Lisbon, Portugal. [1] [2]
The King's Fountain depicts a scene set around the Chafariz de El-Rei in Lisbon, the capital of the-then Kingdom of Portugal. Painted during the late 16th century, the work features images associated with the wealth and power of the burgeoning Portuguese Empire; trade goods from Japan, Goa, and various African kingdoms are seen, as are African slaves and free Africans. [1] Portuguese Jewish [3] constables can be seen detaining a thief [2] or drunk, [1] and the painting notably contains a depiction of an African knight endowed with the heraldry of the Military Order of Saint James of the Sword, [1] [2] sometimes identified as João de Sá Panasco. More domestically-minded work can be seen, such as boatmen unloading grain and attending to passengers, while jugglers and vendors can be seen mingling with the crowd. Several animals are also present. [1] [4]
The wide variety of figures seen in the painting led to the work being described as being an example of globalization in the Renaissance period. [2] [1] [4] [5] The painting currently is on display at the Pálacio da Bacalhôa in Azeitão, Portugal. [1]