As a court painter Velazquez portrayed many members of the royal family. Olivares, a court minister, also posed for him several times. This portrait was created around 1630, a time at which he produced some modest portraits of the King and courtiers in which he sought to bring out the sitters' characters. In this portrait the artist reveals a complex personality: behind the smile, tranquillity and apparent mildness one can sense sharp intelligence and an iron will. The painting employs an austere and restrained range of colours. The intense black of the costume contrasts with the delicate olive-coloured background and the white collar.