Diego Velazquez

Diego Rodriguez de Silva Velazquez was born in Seville Spain in 1599, and died in Madrid in 1660. One of the artists that had a major influence on his style and artwork was Francisco Pacheco. Diego Velazquez was the son of a prominent lawyer in Spain, and in his younger years studied languages and philosophy with the ultimate intention of becoming a lawyer like his father. Diego Velazquez soon discovered his love and ability to draw and paint and proceeded to become a pupil of Herera and Pacheco as well. Diego Velazquez eventually married Pacheco’s daughter in 1618. The earliest paintings by Diego Velazquez consisted of domestic genres, but when he moved to Madrid his style became more colourful. Diego Velazquez was a leading court artist of his day and produced many portraits for the Spanish royal family and nobility. In addition to portraits Velazquez created painted scenes from classical mythology. Today, Diego Velazquez is considered one of the greatest painters of all time, and an enormous impact on the Impressionists because of his mastery of light and atmosphere in his artwork.

Common misspellings: Velazques, Velasquez, Valazquez, Velezquez

Famous paintings and artwork by Diego Velazquez

The Lunch
Old Woman Frying Eggs
Christ in the House of Martha and May
The Adoration of the Magi
The Waterseller of Seville
Portrait of Mother Jeronima de la Fuente
San Ildefonso
Portrait of Count Duke of Olivares
Los Borrachos
Apollo
The Lady with the Fan
Surrender of Breda
Menipo
Esopo
Mars Resting
The Rokeby Venus
Portrait of Innocent X
Las Meninas
Mercury and Argus