Francisco de Zurbaran

Francisco de Zurbarán was a Spanish painter in the Romantic style who specialized in landscapes with figures and architectural scenes. He often inflated the scale of the buildings relative to the figures to make them more impressive. He was born in Fuente de Cantos, Extremadura, on November 7, 1598. His father was a haberdasher and his mother was a descendant of nobility. He showed an early talent for drawing and painting, and in 1614 he moved to Seville to study with Pedro Díaz de Villanueva, a painter of whom little is known. Zurbarán married three times and had three children from his first marriage. His first wife, María Paet, died in 1624 after giving birth to their third child. He then married Beatriz de Morales, a wealthy widow, in 1625. She died in 1639, leaving him a large inheritance. His third wife was Leonor de Torder, whom he married in 1644 and who survived him. Zurbarán became one of the most prominent painters in Seville, where he received many commissions from religious orders and institutions. He painted mainly scenes from the lives of saints, monks, nuns, and martyrs, as well as still lifes and portraits. He was influenced by the naturalism and tenebrism of Caravaggio, creating dramatic effects of light and shadow on his figures and objects. He also used realistic details and textures to convey a sense of materiality and presence. His paintings are characterized by a solemn and austere mood that reflects the spirituality of the Counter-Reformation. In 1634, Zurbarán was invited to Madrid by King Philip IV, who appointed him as his court painter. He painted a series of mythological scenes for the Buen Retiro palace, as well as a portrait of the king. He also met Diego Velázquez, who admired his work and helped him obtain commissions. However, Zurbarán did not adapt well to the courtly environment and returned to Seville in 1635. Zurbarán's reputation declined in the 1640s, as his style was considered too rigid and harsh compared to the more sentimental and graceful paintings of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, who became the leading painter in Seville. Zurbarán also faced competition from cheaper imports of Flemish paintings that flooded the Spanish market. He tried to expand his clientele by producing paintings for export to South America, especially Peru and Mexico. He also painted some landscapes with figures and animals that show his interest in nature. Zurbarán moved back to Madrid in 1658, hoping to revive his career. He received some commissions from private patrons and religious institutions, but he did not achieve the same success as before. He died in Madrid on August 27, 1664, at the age of 65. Zurbarán is regarded as one of the greatest Spanish painters of the Baroque period. His paintings have influenced many artists, such as Francisco Goya, Édouard Manet, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Francis Bacon. His works are displayed in many museums around the world, such as the Prado Museum in Madrid, the Louvre Museum in Paris, the National Gallery in London, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.