Diego Velazquez

Diego Velazquez (1599-1660) was a Spanish Baroque painter considered one of the greatest artists of all time. Born in Seville, he began his artistic training at an early age and was greatly influenced by the work of Caravaggio. In 1623, he was appointed court painter to King Philip IV of Spain, and from then on he painted portraits of the royal family and their entourage. Velazquez's style is characterized by his masterful use of light and shadow, as well as his ability to capture the psychological depth of his subjects. His most famous work is Las Meninas, which depicts the princess and her attendants, and is considered one of the greatest paintings in the history of Western art. Velazquez's influence on art can be seen in the work of later artists such as Manet and Picasso.