jeudi 19 juin 2014

Velazquez Paintings

By Darren Hartley


Velazquez paintings are famous for their portraits, which rank among the finest in world art. Diego Velazquez was the greatest among all Spanish painters. Diego spent most of his life in Madrid where he was the favourite artist of King Philip IV, who let no other artist paint him.

Most of the Velazquez paintings were unavailable to the public until the opening of the opening of Spain's national museum, the Prado, in 1819. From then on, his influence can be gleamed from the works of Manet, Picasso and Francis Bacon.

The early Velazquez paintings were made up of traditional religious themes favoured by his master, Francisco Pacheco, a local painter, with whom Diego spent a six year apprenticeship, starting at the age of 11. The naturalism of Italian painter, Caravaggio, also had an influence on him. Diego was born in Seville, Spain, in June 6, 1599.

The move to the royal court gave Diego access to a vast collection of works. He came in contact with important artists including Peter Paul Rubens, a Flemish baroque master, who spent six months at the court in 1628. Among the notable Velazquez paintings of the period was The Triumph of Bacchus, portraying a group of revellers falling under the powerful spell of the Greek god of wine.

Upon Diego's return to Madrid from his Italian travels from 1629 to 1631, Velazquez paintings included portraits of the dwarves who served in the court of King Philip IV, taking care that they are depicted as complex, intelligent beings. Other responsibilities Diego took within the court, along with his painting duties, range from wardrobe assistance to supervision of palace works.

Velazquez paintings are considered to be works of one of the great masters of Western art. He is considered as a strong influence by artists of the likes of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. French impressionist, Edouard Manet described Diego as the painter of painters.




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