The Life and Career of Manuel de Castro
Born in Guarda, Portugal, on May 28, 1662, Manuel de Castro was a Spanish Baroque painter who trained under Claudio Coello. His early career involved significant collaborations, including working alongside Coello and Pedro de Villafranca to restore paintings in the Sala de Batallas of the Monasterio de El Escorial. Following his training, he spent eight years in Italy, where he visited Naples and attended public academies in Rome. During his time in Rome in 1689, he was commissioned by the congregation of the Resurrection of the church of Santiago y San Ildefonso de los Españoles to paint portraits of King Carlos II and Mariana de Neoburgo to commemorate their marriage.
After returning to Spain in 1690, Castro worked on frescoes and oil paintings for the Trinitarian and Mercedarian convents in Madrid. In 1698, he was officially appointed as a painter to the king. His surviving works include:
Artistic Legacy and Works
The artistic output of Manuel de Castro spans various religious subjects and genres. While some historical accounts, such as those by Ceán Bermúdez, noted certain large works in the convent of the Trinitarians—including a depiction of the Virgin accompanied by singing angels and a redemption of captives—fragments of these pieces are preserved in the Museo del Prado. Additionally, an inventory from 1733 mentions a work titled Alzides en la cuna. His career as a royal painter was formally recognized when he filled the vacancy left by the death of Bartolomé Pérez de la Dehesa.
