Spanish painter
Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez
was born,
June 6, 1599,
in Seville, Spain
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A leading artist in the court of King Philip IV and of the Spanish Golden Age, he was an individualistic artist of the contemporary baroque period, important as a portrait artist. In addition to numerous renditions of scenes of historical and cultural significance, he painted scores of portraits of the Spanish royal family, other notable European figures, and commoners, culminating in the production of his masterpiece Las Meninas (1656).
From the first quarter of the nineteenth century, Velázquez’s artwork was a model for the realist and impressionist painters, in particular Edouard Manet. Since that time, more modern artists, including Spain’s Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, as well as the Anglo-Irish painter Francis Bacon, have paid tribute to Velazquez by recreating several of his most famous works.
(From Wikipedia)
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So here’s a glimpse of this HUGE painter’s work
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“I would rather be the first painter of common things than second in higher art.”
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“I’ll never get tired of hearing your sweet words, but i will get tired of not.”
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“A human will only grasp the realm of a parent’s love when he experiences for himself the like.”
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“Raphael, to be plain with you, for I prefer to be candid and outspoken, does not please me at all….It is Titian that bears the banner.” Speaking to Salvator Rosa of the Italian painter Raphael
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This huge painter must have had a special fondness for dogs… but this detail from Prince Philippe Prosper is just beyond words! …the expression on his/her eyes!
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I’ve chosen two pieces by a Spanish composer of that time,
Joan Pau Pujol
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Tristis est anima mea
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Si del pan de vida
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For more information on Velázquez
https://www.diegovelazquez.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Vel%C3%A1zquez
https://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/velazquez/
Marina Kanavaki 
What an incredible artist, Marina. Awe-inspiring and lovely music, too. And I agree about the dog’s eyes. 🙂 ❤️❤️❤️
Incredible indeed and his dogs (with this one particularly) just leave me speechless! He must have loved dogs very much.
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Those poor young children in such restrictive clothing! It must have been torture to sit for their portraits. Pope Innocent X looks guilty as sin.
.. and you are right of course. No wonder Bacon was inspired to paint his version https://marinakanavaki.com/2020/10/28/francis-bacon-1909-1992/
As for the children …makes one wonder!!!! 🤣
As I’m sure you know, art historians go on and on about Las Meninas and rightly so.
Pomo before pomo, I seem to remember one cultural theorist saying.
Yes, I know and indeed rightly so!
Oops…. you got me there… who?
If I remember right this is the book. It was recommended in undergrad. I took some pomo stuff there. Liked it but also sensed it was lacking something. https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/M/bo3638224.html 🙂
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Great artist!
Beautiful paintings! 🙂
Have a great week! 🙂
Thank you, my friend! Yes he is a huge huge artists!
You too!! 🙂
Such an amazing artist. Gorgeous paintings. You stay safe too. ♥️🤗🌺🌸
One of the great painters and a favorite one to painters too! Glad you enjoyed, Holly! I hope all is well with the weather!
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Fantabulous… magnificent treasures, generally hidden from the world at large. How wonderful of you to be so thoughtful is having chosen to share this beauty! Thank you Marina…
Ah, thank you, my dear Jean-Jacques! Magnificent treasures indeed! As I was saying to Dale, revisiting the work of these masters is an amazing experience to me, so sharing it is even more so! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, my friend! 🙂
Wonderful. Thank you for the introduction (and the great musical accompaniment!)
Ah, so happy you enjoyed this (music included) 😘🤗😘🤗
I did. Very much. xoxoxk
Revisiting the work of these masters is such an amazing experience to me, so I’m twice as happy sharing it! 😉 xoxoxo
It’s very cool.
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xoxo
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Beautiful Art work… such attention to detail. Especially on the gown with pearls.. and cape of the pope… capturing the shine of the silk…. 🙂
Have a peaceful Weekend Marina.. ❤ Hugs your way
Thank you, my dear Sue!
Yes, he is considered -and rightfully so- one of the greatest masters. The expressions he captures too…
Many many hugs and love your way too
and wishes for a beautiful weekend
and maybe more rain to help you out with watering! 😉 xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
We did have more rain… Its been more pleasant today so I was able to plant some of my Cosmos flowers I had grown from seed in my home garden today… A delightful day its been, 🙂 Sending much love and Gratitude Marina.. ❤ ❤ ❤
Oh, that sounds so nice, Sue…
Love to you and wishes for a beautiful week ahead! ❤️😘❤️
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A true master. The waterseller is marvellous.
Oh, I agree… eventhough I’m having difficulty not standing in awe at most of his paintings!
Indeed. I am lucky to have seen the ‘old woman cooking eggs’ in a gallery in Scotland.
It is something seeing these paintings, isn’t it?… a lifetime experience!