Diego Velázquez

Diego Velázquez, a prominent Spanish painter, was born in 1599 and passed away in 1660. He is widely regarded as one of the leading figures of the Baroque movement, known for his masterful use of realism and complex compositions. Velázquez served as the 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." His innovative approach to portraiture and his ability to capture the subtleties of human expression significantly influenced subsequent generations of artists. Velázquez's work is celebrated for its sophisticated use of light and shadow, as well as its profound psychological depth. His legacy endures as a cornerstone of Western art history, with his paintings continuing to be studied and admired for their technical brilliance and emotional resonance.