Diego Rodriguez Velázquez

Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez was a Spanish painter born on June 6, 1599, in Seville, and he died on August 6, 1660, in Madrid. Velázquez is widely regarded as one of the most important figures of the Baroque movement, known for his masterful use of realism and complex compositions. He served as the leading court painter to King Philip IV of Spain, where he produced some of his most renowned works, including "Las Meninas" and "The Surrender of Breda." Velázquez's influence extended beyond his lifetime, impacting the development of Western art and inspiring later artists such as Francisco Goya and Édouard Manet. His ability to capture the subtleties of human expression and the play of light and shadow marked a significant advancement in portraiture and genre painting.