Diego Velázquez

Diego Velázquez Autorretrato 45 x 38 cm - Colección Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Carlos - Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia

Casa natal de Velazquez

Diego Velazquez - An Old Woman Cooking Eggs - Google Art Project

Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez (June 6, 1599 – August 6, 1660) was a Spanish painter, the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV of Spain and one of the most important painters of the Spanish Golden Age. He was an individualistic artist of the contemporary Baroque period, important as a portrait artist. In addition to numerous renditions of scenes of historical and cultural significance, he painted scores of portraits of the Spanish royal family, notable European figures, and commoners, culminating in the production of his masterpiece Las Meninas (1656).

Early life

Velázquez was born in Seville, Spain, the first child of João Rodrigues da Silva, a notary, and Jerónima Velázquez. He was baptized at the church of St. Peter in Seville on June 6, 1599. His paternal grandparents, Diego da Silva and Maria Rodrigues, were Portuguese and had moved to Seville decades earlier. Velázquez received his early training in art from Francisco de Herrera before being apprenticed to Francisco Pacheco, a leading artist and theorist in Seville. In 1618, Velázquez married Pacheco's daughter, Juana, and they had two daughters.

Career

In 1622, Velázquez moved to Madrid, where he was appointed court painter to King Philip IV. His early works in Madrid include The Triumph of Bacchus (1628) and The Forge of Vulcan (1630). Velázquez's style evolved over time, influenced by his travels to Italy and his exposure to the works of Titian, Peter Paul Rubens, and other Renaissance and Baroque masters.

Major works

• Las Meninas (1656) – Considered Velázquez's masterpiece, this complex and enigmatic painting depicts the young Infanta Margaret Theresa surrounded by her entourage.
• The Surrender of Breda (1634–1635) – A historical painting commemorating the Spanish victory over the Dutch city of Breda.
• Portrait of Innocent X (1650) – A striking and realistic portrait of Pope Innocent X, painted during Velázquez's second trip to Italy.

Legacy

Velázquez's work was largely forgotten in the years following his death, but he was rediscovered in the 19th century by artists and critics who admired his technical skill and innovative compositions. His influence can be seen in the works of later artists such as Édouard Manet, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dalí.

Related pages

• Baroque
• Spanish Golden Age
• Las Meninas
• King Philip IV of Spain
• Infanta Margaret Theresa
• Pope Innocent X

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