Diego Velazquez

Stil: Baroque;

Mjesto: Seville

Rođen: 1599

Smrt: 1660

Biografija:

Early Life and Training

Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez

, a Spanish painter, was born in Seville, Spain, on June 6, 1599. He was the first child of Juan Rodríguez de Silva, a notary, and Jerónima Velázquez. Velázquez's early life was marked by his apprenticeship under Francisco Pacheco, an artist and teacher in Seville.

Artistic Career

Velázquez began his artistic career with bodegones (kitchen scenes with prominent still-life). His earliest works demonstrate his unusual skill in realistic depiction. As he matured as an artist, Velázquez's style evolved into a freer manner characterized by bold brushwork.

Notable Works

Las Meninas (1656), considered his masterpiece, showcases Velázquez's skill in capturing the essence of the Spanish royal family.
Infanta Margarita, a portrait of the Spanish royal family, exemplifies Velázquez's ability to convey the subtleties of human emotion.
Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, a work that blends realism with subtle hints of mysticism, further solidifies Velázquez's position as a leading artist of the Baroque era.

Influence and Legacy

Velázquez's paintings became a model for 19th-century realist and impressionist painters. In the 20th century, artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Francis Bacon paid tribute to Velázquez by re-interpreting some of his most iconic images.

Museums and Collections

Most of Velázquez's work entered the Spanish royal collection, with the Museo del Prado in Madrid housing the best collection. Some portraits were sent abroad as diplomatic gifts, especially to the Austrian Habsburgs.

Key Dates:

- June 6, 1599: Born in Seville, Spain - 1618: Married Juana Pacheco - August 6, 1660: Died in Madrid, Spain

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