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Date of Birth
Diego was the first child of João Rodrigues da Silva and Jerónima Velázquez. -
Opening the Studio
Velázquez set up his own studio for the first time after completing his apprenticeship with Francisco Pacheco. -
Matrimony
Velázquez married Juana Pacheco who was the son of his teacher and they had two kids together. -
Christ in the House of Martha and Mary
This painting is called Christ in the house of Martha and Mary and it is unique for its use of perspective. In the foreground, we see a portrait of everyday life; while in the background, we see a more ornate, religious image. Velázquez used this style of using two images very often in his work. -
The Surrender of Breda
The Surrender of Breda, also known as The Lances, is Velázquez’s only surviving work with a historical subject matter. The painting was a royal commission, and it shows Spanish general Ambrogio Spinola’s victory over the Dutch town of Breda in 1625. -
Juan de Pareja
Velázquez created this portrait as a warm-up of his skills before his portrait of the Pope. It captures in great detail Pareja's countenance and his somewhat worn and patched clothing with an economic use of brushwork. -
His Travels
Velázquez made a trip to Italy from 1649 to 1651. During this time, he was given the opportunity to paint Pope Innocent X, producing a work that is considered among the finest portraits ever rendered. This is when he received most credit and influenced other painters. -
Las Meninas
Las meninas is Velázquez’s most famous painting. It depicts the infant Margarita, daughter of King Philip IV, surrounded by her maids of honor. Velázquez incorporates a self-portrait into the piece; he can be seen at his canvas in the left-corner of the painting. In this way, Las meninas represents a more intimate moment in the life of the Spanish royal family because the paintintg incorporates Diego showing his artistic process. -
Death
Diego died in Madrid, Spain after he was stricken with fever. -
Rememberance
Velázquez is remembered as one of the great masters of Western art. Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali are among the artists who considered him a strong influence, while French Impressionist Édouard Manet described him as "the painter of painters."
