Velazquez

best known as Diego Velazquez

Diego Rodriguez de Silva (Velazquez) (1599-1660) was an artist of Portuguese descent, although born in Seville, Spain. His early paintings show a naturalistic view of things in a strong light. He became a court painter in Madrid, but under the influence of Reubens he travelled to Italy from 1629-31. Here he painted Los Borrachos, Joseph's Coat Brought to Jacob and The Forge of Vulcan, all showing his trademark styles of strong colour, with a central male nude against a dark background.

On his return he depicted incidents of the Dutch wars of independence, including the Surrender of Breda (1635).

In 1648 Velazquez travelled with a diplomatic group heading for Venice. Here he painted what is considered one of his finest portraits, Las Meninas (1656), a vivid portrait of the infanta Margarita Teresa with her retinue of ladies and dwarfs.

Major works[edit]

Velazquez's major works are given in the main article, but in addition there is a fine portrait of Pope Innocent X, and several of his king, Philip IV of Spain.