Diego Velázquez

The most famous portrait artist of his time

Diego Velázquez is born in Seville in 1599. He becomes a member of the San Luca painters’ guild and soon carves out his own path artistically. Inspired by Caravaggio’s work, he wishes to represent the world around him in the most realistic way possible.

He begins in the usual way, with religious works, but soon turns to the genre that will make him famous – portraits. In 1623 he relocates to Madrid and completes his first portrait of King Philip IV 3 years later. The monarch is delighted by the young artist’s style and promotes him to court painter.

He has several portraits made of himself and other members of the royal household. Queen Isabella, Philip IV’s first wife, dies in 1644 and is followed 2 years later by the crown prince, Balthasar Charles. Philip now marries his niece Mariana of Austria, who is formerly betrothed to his late son. A much longed-for heir, Philip Prospero, is born in 1657. Velázquez’s portrait of the boy is one of the artist’s final works. Velázquez dies in Madrid in 1660.