Diego VELÁZQUEZ (1599 – 1660)
Self portrait from 'Las Meninas
> autorretrato sacado de 'Las Meninas'
1656, Madrid, Museo del Prado.
His life
Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velázquez was
the greatest Spanish painter and a major figure
in European art. Born in Seville, of noble
family, he was trained by Francisco Pacheco,
whose daughter he married in 1618. In 1628-
9, Velázquez met Rubens who encouraged
him to study Titian in the Spanish Royal
Collection and to visit Italy. Velázquez went
to Italy twice, in 1629-31 and 1649-51, to
study Italian paintings and commission and
acquire works of art on behalf of the King.
His work
His earliest works are 'bodegones' (literally
'tavern scenes') or 'low-life' pictures with
peasant models and still lifes of foodstuffs and
cooking implements. Velázquez was probably
influenced by the naturalism of Caravaggio.
His technique evolved from the tightly painted
'Christ in the House of Martha and Mary' to
loosely brushed mature works such as 'Philip
IV in Brown and Silver'.
Su vida
Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez era el
mayor pintor español y una figura importante
en el arte europeo. Nacido en Sevilla, en una
familia noble, fue alumno de Francisco
Pacheco, con cuya hija se casó en 1618. En
1628-9, Velázquez encontró a Rubens que lo
animó a estudiar a Ticiano en la Colección
española Real y a visitar Italia. Velázquez fue
a Italia dos veces, en 1629-31 y 1649-51, para
estudiar pinturas italianas y adquirir obras de
arte de parte del Rey.
Su obra
Sus primeras obras son 'bodegones' (es decir
escenas de taberna) o cuadros que
representan la vida modesta de los
campesinos y naturalezas muertas de
productos alimenticios o instrumentos de
cocina. El naturalismo de Caravaggio influyó
probablemente en Velázquez. Su técnica
evolucionó del severo cuadro de 'Cristo en la
Casa de Marta y María' a obras más maduras
y suaves como 'Felipe IV en castaño y plata'.
Philip IV of Spain in Brown and Silver

(about 1631-2)

NG1129. Bought, 1882.

Signed.

The unusual splendour of the King's dress suggests that this work records a particular occasion, since
he is usually depicted in more sombre clothes. He wears the badge of the Order of the Golden Fleece
on a gold chain.

This work was probably painted soon after Velázquez's return from Italy in 1631. It is one of the few
signed paintings by the artist and the principal portrait of the King of that period.

Oil on canvas
195 x 110 cm.