The Evolution of Velázquez's Painting
If you are interested in buying paintings online, you will know that Diego Velázquez is the best-known Baroque painter of the «Spanish Golden Age of Painting». His art is undeniable. He created famous paintings such as Las meninas, La fragua de Vulcano, or Las hilanderas, and became one of the most transcendental artists of our country.
For this reason, at EsglaiArt we have decided to pay him a small tribute, and we offer you a summary of the evolution of his painting.
Different Stages of Diego Velázquez's Painting
Velázquez was born in Seville, in 1599, and there he began to develop his art. In his first Sevillian period, the painter focused on tenebrist works, under the influence of Caravaggio. In the works of this period, such as La vieja friendo huevos, the hard outlines are noticeable, not as realistic as we will see in the future. This is due to his use of chiaroscuro.
Later, Velázquez traveled to Madrid and entered the court of Philip IV. During this period, the painter abandoned tenebrism, as he became a court painter. Because of this, during this era, his portraits of the members of the monarchy stand out. However, he continued to evolve and learn. He met great artists like Rubens, who encouraged him to travel to Italy. Thanks to this, he trained and learned from the artists of Rome, Naples, and Venice, completing his apprenticeship. From here, Velázquez sought the nude, color, and aerial perspective. His paintings ceased to be chiaroscuros to have warm colors and a clear predominance of light.
Upon his return to Madrid, the king commissioned a large number of paintings to be included in his new palaces. In this period, he produced complex and famous works such as La rendición de Breda, as well as many more portraits of the royal family.
In his last years of life, he returned to Italy. This time not as an apprentice, but as a recognized painter. He continued to prioritize mythological themes, and painted paintings such as La Venus del espejo. Upon his return to Madrid, and until his death, his painting was fluid. He focused mainly on light, and played with it in his paintings. His most known works from this period are Las Hilanderas, and of course, his masterpiece, Las meninas.
Buy Paintings Online at EsglaiArt
At EsglaiArt we are admirers of Velázquez, and we deeply respect his art. In the same way, we highly value the art of our painters. Therefore, if you are interested in buying paintings online, do not hesitate to contact us and we will advise you so that you can choose the painting that best suits you.