Diego Velásquez is one of the most famous and influential painters in Spain, born in 1599 and became the main artist in the royal court of Philip IV. Velásquez emerged during the contemporary baroque period and became one of its main exponents along with characters such as Peter Paul Rubens. Baroque was an elaborate style of painting and was especially good at depicting religious scenes; For this reason, its use was encouraged by the Catholic Church, its dramatic and direct style perfectly captured the drama of religious imagery.
Born in Seville, Velásquez was the son of a lawyer of noble Portuguese descent. He was well educated in philosophy, religion, and languages; His parents clearly destined him for a high calling. Velásquez showed an early passion for art and an evident talent and began his studies in the discipline in Seville. At age 11 he began studying with Francesco Pacheco, where he stayed for five years, developing his talent and absorbing as much as he could from the Seville art scene. In 1618 he married Pacheco’s daughter with the unconditional support of his mentor.
By 1620 Velázquez’s reputation was secured in Seville as a superb painter; early works such as “Old Firendo Eggs” painted in 1618, showed his immense talent as he began to show greater maturity; his works acquire a sharp realism. At the end of 1622, Velásquez made his first trip to Madrid, where he began to paint court figures and gained an excellent reputation. He painted a famous portrait of the poet Luis de Góngora y Argote that was very well received.
When the king’s court painter died, Velásquez was presented with the opportunity to paint the king who first posed for the painter in 1623. Velásquez completed the portrait in one day and Philip IV was satisfied with the result, thus beginning a long and fruitful relationship that saw Velásquez admitted to the royal service. During this period Velásquez painted many portraits of the king of him, sadly most of these have now been lost, although two excellent examples can be found in the Prado museum in Madrid. In 1627 the king held a contest to find the best painter in Spain on the subject of the expulsion of the Moors, and Velásquez duly won, further advancing himself in the eyes of Philip IV.
In 1629 Velásquez made his first visit to Italy, sailing from Barcelona in the company of the Marquis de Spinola, the conqueror of Breda. The company served as inspiration for one of his most famous works, “The Surrender of Breda”, which he would paint five years later. Velásquez was greatly influenced by what he saw in Italy and Venice, and the Spaniard took copies of many famous works, including Tintorello’s “The Last Supper” and “Crucifixion.” He also painted the famous “Fragua del Vulcano” in 1630 which also hangs today in the Prado museum.
Upon his return to Madrid, Velásquez continued to be highly regarded as the favorite painter of the kings and in this middle period of his career he produced some of his most important works, such as “Christ on the Cross” painted in 1632. At the behest of the kings . Velásquez also founded an art academy in Spain, something that art-loving Philip IV had wanted to do for some time.
Velásquez made a second trip to Italy shortly thereafter, where he produced a striking portrait of Pope Innocent X. After two years, he was recalled to Spain and entered the twilight of his career. 1656 saw Velásquez produce “Las Meninas”, undoubtedly the painter’s “magnum opus” and his most famous work. The painting was reworked by Picasso in 1957 to striking effect. Velásquez would die four years later, in 1660, after being attacked by a fever in Madrid, his body was buried in the church of San Juan Bautista; the church was unfortunately destroyed by the French some years later, so his burial place is unknown today. What is known, however, is the legacy left by this brilliant painter, his technical ability and personal style had rightly earned him a place in the pantheon of art.