About the Artist
Diego Velazquez was born June 6, 1599 in Seville Spain. He was born into a noble family and began studying painting at a young age. When he was 12 he began studying under the painter Francisco Pacheco. At the age of 19 he married Francisco's daughter, Juana Pacheco. After marrying Diego moved to Madrid where Juana bore him two daughters and Diego continued his painting. At the age of 24 he painted the portrait of King Phillip IV of Spain. The king so liked his work that Diego then became the official painter to the royal family. Diego and his family resided at the palace, for the remainder of his life, living and traveling with the royal family. Diego became ill with a fever in July of 1660 and then died August 6, 1660 in Madrid. His wife followed him in death a mere eight days later.
Diego was one of Spain's most famous painters. Most of his works were portraits but he also did landscapes, religious and mythological pieces. The era in which Diego painted was during the Spanish Golden Age and the Baroque period. The Spanish Golden Age was a period of time, from the late 1400's to the mid 1600's in Spain, that highlighted the arts and literature, allowing them to flourish. The Baroque era was a period of time that started around 1600 and lasted until the early 1700's. The Baroque period, known as the Baroque style, spread to all of Europe and was exemplified by rich, dramatic and emotional works of art. The Spanish Inquisition was still going on in Spain during the life of Diego Velazquez but he was spared their censorship because of his royal protection by King Philip IV.
Diego was one of Spain's most famous painters. Most of his works were portraits but he also did landscapes, religious and mythological pieces. The era in which Diego painted was during the Spanish Golden Age and the Baroque period. The Spanish Golden Age was a period of time, from the late 1400's to the mid 1600's in Spain, that highlighted the arts and literature, allowing them to flourish. The Baroque era was a period of time that started around 1600 and lasted until the early 1700's. The Baroque period, known as the Baroque style, spread to all of Europe and was exemplified by rich, dramatic and emotional works of art. The Spanish Inquisition was still going on in Spain during the life of Diego Velazquez but he was spared their censorship because of his royal protection by King Philip IV.
A sampling of Diego Velazquez's famous paintings