Work by - and influenced by - Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velasquez - (Oh - incidentally if you have ever wondered about the apparently long and confusing names Spaniards have - don't be, it's simple - they carry both their parent's surnames. Typically the first is your fathers and the second your mothers.' Born around 1599 and died 1660. For me the most important painter of the Spanish Golden age - technically - I think it's considered Baroque. Most famously court painter to Philip the IV. His royal patronage was important as it protected him from the worst excesses of the Inquisition. He was born in Seville with Portuguese Jewish converso grandparents. It should be born in mind - at this point in Spanish history - that an awful lot of time and effort was spent in people proving, and indeed blind eyes turned to, true Christian lineage. Torquemada - the first Grand Inquisitor was himself of Jewish blood. Velasquez best work is kept - perhaps unsurprisingly - in the Prado in Madrid. It's interesting to see it shown together - he developed - probably - either cataracts or some sort of retinal disease as he got older. The pictures become softer, more 'milky' as he aged. Unlike Goya - who just went mental due to syphilis. So -
First and second - 'Las Meninas' - the ladies in waiting - 1656. Astonishingly modern in composition. Observe the artist looking at us from the left. The central figure is the Infanta Margaret Theresa - daughter of Philip the IV. Seen in the background - half length are the King and Queen. A truly radical court portrait for its time. Next up is the photographer Joel Peter Witkin's take on the picture. Over three hundred years later Las Meninas is still inspiring artists.
Third and fourth - 'Pope Innocent the X' - 1650. Again radical for its time - in terms of realism. Not an idealised view of a Pope - the Pope. I'm pretty sure that exactly how he looked. This is not in the Madrid but in Rome but I was lucky enough to see it as a temporary loan to the Prado. Astonishing. It's late - so it's starting to take on the softness I mentioned. This painting most famously influenced - among others - Francis Bacon. He did a series of canvases influenced by it - this to mind is the best. 1953. Bacon didn't really make sense to me until I say them in 'real life' - visceral, almost breathing. Ralph Steadman anyone?
I hope you enjoy looking at them - cheers - I.
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