Diego Rodriguez de Silva Velazquez: creativity and biography (photo)

The most vivid representative of the Spanish painting of the "golden" century is the realist artist Diego Velasquez. His work was significantly different from others by its penetration into the character of the model, a rich and subtle color, exacerbated by a sense of harmony. It was he who, in European art, laid the foundation for the psychological portrait. Biographers claimed that Diego easily gave many sciences. He early began to collect the library, because in his early childhood he learned to read. It is this that testifies to the interested study of many sciences by Velazquez, but the most alluring for him is still painting.

Childhood

In the city of Seville in the poor but noble family of Jews who converted to Christianity on June 6, 1599, Velázquez Diego de Silva was born. He was the eldest of eight children in the family. According to the widespread Andalusian custom, Diego and his brother (also an artist) took the mother's surname. The future fate of the boy was largely determined by the fact that his father was a native of Portugal. First Diego, as well as other male children, was sent to a Latin monastic school.

But at the age of nine the child had already clearly expressed the ability for art, so his father gave to study in the studio of the then popular in Spain, the artist Errera. The fact of the chosen profession became a challenge for the local aristocracy, since the artist's profession was considered unworthy of a nobleman's occupation. The nature of the teacher was unbearable, because of this Velazquez studied for a short time with this master, and a year later the boy worked in the studio of Francisco Pacheco, a wonderful teacher who adores antiquity.

In the house near Pacheco

Diego Velasquez remained in Pacheco's workshop until he was awarded the title of Master at the age of eighteen. It is thanks to the advice of his teacher that he improves the ability to accurately reproduce nature. Here the work of Diego Velasquez is represented by the following paintings: "Immaculate Conception", "Breakfast", "Emmaus Dinner", "Old Cook", "Aquarius", "Adoration of the Magi", "Christ in the House of Martha and Mary", "Musicians".

After graduation, the mentor, who was attracted by virtue, purity, genius, and other positive qualities of his student, married his only daughter, sixteen-year-old Juan Miranda. During the first three years of marriage, the young couple had two daughters. At the age of twenty-one, Diego Velasquez opened his own workshop. In the early works of the artist there is a marked interest in the representatives of the common people. He depicts proud Andalusian ladies, gray-haired elders, cheerful boys and young Spanish people. Along with other Spanish creators, Diego refers to biblical stories, but they do not occupy a large place in the life of the author. As a rule, these paintings do not have a mystical coloring, but rather resemble everyday scenes.

Moving to Madrid

Having replaced all the court environment of his father, a young (sixteen years old) ruler, Philip the Fourth, learned that in Seville lives a talented Spanish artist Velazquez, who was immediately drafted into the palace.

At the age of 24, with his father-in-law, Diego arrives in Madrid. His patron here is Prime Minister Olivares. Written by the artist "Portrait of the young King Philip IV" is a great success, after which he is awarded the title of a court painter. But, unfortunately, this work has not reached our times.

Portrait work

Now Diego Velasquez, whose biography acquires more vivid colors, ceases to depend on casual earnings. To him in one of the wings of the palace are the front apartments, and in the suburbs, in one of the castles, he has a spacious workshop. The key to it was the monarch himself, who loved to observe the work of the creator every day. The only drawback of such a life was the limitation of the themes of the paintings that Velazquez Diego created. The portrait for many years becomes his main genre. The king and his children were repeatedly written in the works of the artist. Particularly often depicted Infanta Margarita, the royal daughter. Up to our time, portraits have reached that show changes in the face as it grows and grows.

Diego Velazquez acquired a stunning success, a sign of a bad tone was the lack of a portrait of his work. As a result, a large number of images of courtiers and politicians appeared, as well as a gallery of vivid representatives of Spanish culture.

"The Exile of Moriscas"

But not only worship caused Diego's creativity, the envy of the most authoritative artists led to conflict due to the fact that the young creator did not consider academic traditions. As a result, at the insistence of his "senior comrades", a contest was organized, to which the 28-year-old author wrote the historical big picture "The expulsion of the Moriscos". It is devoted to the expulsion from the country of all residents of Arab origin, the most tragic part of the history of the country.

Delight was caused by the work that Diego Velazquez did. Pictures, the description of which corresponded to the official destination, hung in one of the palace halls, and this sharp, full expression, masterpiece. After several weeks, he was ordered to transfer to the place where the King's favorite paintings were - a mirror room.

As for the author himself, he received a high, equivalent to a chamberlain, the position of keeper of the royal door. Envy and ill will in no way affected the human qualities of Velasquez. He retained the inner freedom from the whims of the Spanish nobility. This picture, unfortunately, has not survived to this day.

Ancient Plots

Velazquez Diego, whose paintings are unusual for domestic traditions, by the age of thirty, completing work on such a masterpiece on an antique plot, like "Drunkards," or "Bacchus." The picture depicts a rite of initiation into the brotherhood of this god. There is already a more bold choice of types and realistic characteristics of declassed representatives of the society of that time. Everything is done masterfully, like the modern theater and literature, recklessness, bitterness and fun are depicted. But in general, the artist respects the optimism and vitality of his people.

It was the ancient story that enabled him to break with the traditional domestic interior scene that has already become traditional. Thanks to the action in nature, the lighting becomes smoother, and the paint is richer. But the contrasts of shadow and light are still very strong, so the foreground is slightly heavy, since this method is new to the author. And the more perfect possession the creator will get later.

Trip to Italy. Diego Velasquez: The Forge of Vulcan

With the permission of the King and, perhaps, Rubens' advice, together with the famous commander Ambrosio Spinola, Velazquez visits the neighboring peninsula, where he copies the paintings and frescoes of eminent masters, gets acquainted with the ancient sculpture and works of his contemporaries. This trip greatly expanded the outlook of Diego and contributed to the improvement of skill. Diego Velazquez is very fruitful in this period. "Forge of Vulcan" was written by him in the capital of Italy. The interpretation of the mythological plot here is very original. The author depicted the moment when Vulcan (the god of fire) received from Apollo the news about the betrayal of his wife (Venus).

In this work, there is no earthiness completely, but the irony of the creator is clearly visible here. Despite the radiance of Apollo, his image is very prosaic. The volcano and his assistants are also represented by living people who are not distinguished by divine beauty.

This country gave much to Velasquez, his painting became more perfect and mature, dark shadows and sharp lines disappeared, the landscape background became very significant.

"Surrender of Breda"

In all its splendor, the artist presents his own mastery in the only battle canvas - "The Delivery of Breda." Here is an event of the fall of the Dutch fortress of Breda, besieged by the Spaniards. Its commandant Justin of Nassau handed the keys to the Spanish commander Spinola.

Together they are depicted in the center of the canvas. Bent by the weight of the rout Nassau rushes to the winner with a key in his hand. On the other hand, the Spaniards are crowded in black armor, and slender spears create a sense of superiority of strength and strength of the Spanish squad.

By the novelty of the artistic decision, as well as the truthfulness of the image of the historical event, this picture became a revelation for its time.

But still portraits are the leading genre in the work of Velázquez. They have become more diverse in terms of painting and composition. All this is combined with the picturesque freedom and exceptional conviction in the interpretation of landscapes. For a decade, the master created a whole series of portraits of buffoons and dwarfs. At the same time, the painting written on the plot forbidden by the Inquisition "Venus and Cupid," with the rarest image of a naked female body in Spanish painting.

Paintings of religious content. Visit to Rome

The Spanish king for the monastery of San Placido ordered Diego a picture. This work, entitled "The Crucifixion of Christ," brought the author an astounding success, and her composition is surprisingly simple. The image of Christ does not have a landscape background, and the author also tried to minimize the suffering on his face. Proportions, although ideal, differ from the muscular canons. The picture creates an atmosphere of deep meditation and absolute silence.

Along with this artist, other pictures of similar content are also written. Velazquez Diego, whose paintings are already glorified, again visits Italy. The works created here brought the creator even greater popularity. The most striking example is the "Portrait of Pope Innocent X", which is of particular importance due to the extraordinary craftsmanship of painting, profound psychologism and sharpness of character.

The pontifex is depicted sitting in a chair in a latent, strained pose. It pierces the figure and gives it a vivid dominant red tone, especially intense in hot light. Not trying to ennoble the ugly face of the Pope, the author depicted his tenacious and heavy look, temperament and inner strength. Before the spectator appears not a clergyman, but rather a secular ruler - intelligent, energetic, cunning, vicious and cruel.

Despite the generous reward for the portrait, Innocent found it too truthful, and because of Philippe's letter, who was afraid to lose the artist, Diego Velazquez (whose brief biography does not miss a single significant event in his life) returns to his homeland. After this, the king elevates him to the highest position in the state - the marshal, then the artist receives complete independence.

Meninas

During this period, the main paintings of the author are compositions of a large scale "The Myth of Arachne" and "Meninas".

Diego's greatest creation is the painting "Meninas". The very word denotes a girl belonging to an aristocratic family, who holds the office of the maid of honor of the Spanish infantry. The composition of this work is very unusual.

The artist painted one of the rooms of the royal palace - large and gloomy. In the left part of it on the stretcher stands he himself near a large canvas and writes a portrait of the King's family. Its reflection can be seen in the mirror behind the creator. In the center of the room surrounded by dwarfs and two menin is Margarita, a charming little Infanta. Behind them are the figures of the cavalier and the court lady, and behind the open door in the background is the Queen's marshal.

From European artists, Velasquez was the first to show the backstage life of the royal court. Little Infanta and maid of honor are depicted with great expressiveness. One of them, according to etiquette, kneels in front of Margarita, giving her a glass of water. The dwarf seems mobile and pushes a large dog, and the fat dwarf stiffens in a daze.

It is rather difficult to define the genre in which Diego Velasquez's painting "Meninas" is painted. Here, the elements of the group portrait, and everyday scenes were combined. Masterfully the author handed over the space beyond the canvas, filling it with light and air from the open window.

The Myth of Arachne

The peak of the artist's creative skill is the work "Pryakha", dedicated to the laboring Spanish people. This picture was the first in the history of Western European painting to tell about a simple man, his work.

There are two separate scenes in the composition of the picture. In a half-dark loom workshop, in the foreground are depicted spinners who are busy with their work. In the middle, she selects a young worker from the floor of a wool, dropping down on her knee. On the right there is another spinner, she coils a string made of wool into a tight tangle. The author prescribed it very large and realistic, and the confidence and accuracy of the movements he conveys with the image of large hands with rolled up sleeves and a broad back. The work of this spinner is observed by another woman. And to the left of the wooden loom in a carelessly thrown headscarf sitting a tired weaver and talking with his assistant. She has a cat on her bare feet. In the background, behind the red heavy curtain pushed aside, you can see ready-made tapestries stacked in a pile. The scene is depicted without embellishment, ordinary, but the necessary dynamism is given to it by a rotating wheel of the machine and coloring.

In the background there are two court ladies looking at the carpet hanging on the wall, the bright and pure colors of which give this part of the room a feeling of solemn and fabulous presentation. On the finished tapestry, Diego painted the finale of the legend about Arachne, but not the transformation of the girl into a terrible spider, but the triumph of the unsurpassed goddess of art, which is an allegory with political notes. Thus, the creator expressed his respects to the Spanish monarchy, easily mobbing not only individuals, but also any territories.

This picture - not only the apogee of Velasquez's creativity and his last major work, but also a sympathetic and profound understanding of the injustice of the entire world order.

By this time, Velasquez's court career reaches its highest point - he was awarded the cross of Santiago, the most important order of Spain. This fact became a precedent, as the man of art became the knight of one of the most ancient European knightly orders .

But at this time the creator was already seriously ill with malaria, which was infected during the wedding ceremony of the French king and the Spanish princess on the island of Fazanov. After returning to Madrid, Diego Rodriguez de Silva Velasquez died at the age of sixty-one. With his death, the heyday of Spanish painting ended.