Without a doubt, Murillo could, like Velasquez, become a brilliant portrait painter. Confirmation of this we find in his self-portrait, dated 1672-75 years, where he proved himself an outstanding master of the portrait. However, this genre, apparently, not too attracted him. Only a very small number of portraits belonging to his hand remained.
Presented here are “Portrait of a young man in gray” and “Portrait of an unknown gentleman”, approx. 1670 belong in time to these rare portraits. It is possible that Murillo’s reluctance to take up the post of court painter, suggesting a frequent appeal to the portrait genre, stemmed precisely from his dislike for the latter.
Not a single portrait of any member of the artist’s family has survived, but it can be assumed that he often gave the heroes of his religious canvases a resemblance to his home ones.
Portrait d’un jeune homme en gris – Bartolome Esteban Murillo 
Fruit Seller by Bartolome Esteban Murillo 
Boy with a dog by Bartolome Esteban Murillo 
Retrato de un joven en gris – Bartolome Esteban Murillo 
Dice Players (Street Boys) by Bartolome Esteban Murillo 
Little Beggar by Bartolome Esteban Murillo 
Sleeping Baby Christ with Angels by Bartolome Esteban Murillo 
Mary Magdalene by Bartolome Esteban Murillo