In the picture, the first minister of the Spanish King Philip IV, Duke of Olivares. The Duke ordered himself to be portrayed as a general on a horse, against the backdrop of a battle, although the first minister never took part in any battle, and waged war from his office, and failed.
And here in the picture the duke prances on a horse and points with his hand to where the battle is going, where the distant smoke of the fires is visible. But the rider is far from a real war, and does he think of it? He looks at the viewer, as if wanting to make sure that his figure makes an impression on the viewer.
In the picture there are many attributes of nobility and power. And a hat with a feather, and a baton of a commander, and a gold-clad hilt of a sword. A satin sling with a magnificent bow sparkles in shades of pink and crimson. A magnificent figure on a powerful horse conveys the complacency and self-admiration of the minister.
Portrait of Count-Duke Olivares by Diego Velasquez 
Portrait of Count-Duke Olivares by Diego de Silva Velázquez 
Portrait of King Philip IV of Spain in the Shell by Diego Velasquez 
Portrait of the Infanta of Maria Anne of the Spanish Queen of Hungary by Diego Velasquez 
Portrait of Philip IV in a brown and silver costume by Diego Velasquez 
Portrait of King Philip III by Diego Velasquez 
Self-Portrait by Diego Velasquez 
Portrait of Queen Isabella of Bourbon by Diego Velasquez