After the Renaissance, art continued to flourish throughout most of Europe.
Here, we will explore the life and art of Velazquez.
Who Was Diego Velazquez?
These images were distributed to other courts in Europe.
The Spanish painter also captured the king’s first and second wives and his other children.
All of these works showcase the artist’s mastery oftenebrisma contrast of light and darkand attention to detail.
Diego Velázquez, “Self-Portrait,” c. 1640 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Velazquez wanted to portray his subjects as he saw them.
Among his other subjects were jesters, dwarves, soldiers, and poets.
A couple of years later, Velazquez freed Pareja and he became an independent artist.
Diego Velázquez, “Philip IV in Brown and Silver,” c. 1631–32 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Velazquez was known for capturing the reality of his subjects without much flattery.
It’s too true!
On the right are two dwarves and a sleeping Spanish mastiff.
Diego Velázquez, “Prince Balthasar Charles with a Dwarf,” 1632 (Photo viaWikimedia Commons, Public Domain)
On the left is Velazquez himself, looking at the viewer as he paints his portrait.
The mirror hanging on the back wall features another hidden portrait of King Philip IV and the queen.
His masterpieceLas Meninasis considered one of the greatest paintings of all time.
Diego Velázquez, “Portrait of the Infanta Maria Theresa of Spain,” c. 1656 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Diego Velázquez, “Portrait of Juan de Pareja,” c. 1650 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Diego Velázquez, “Portrait of Pope Innocent X,” 1650 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Diego Velázquez, “Las Meninas,” 1656 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Diego Velázquez, “Las Hilanderas,” c. 1656 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
