Diego RodrÐ"­Guez

Spanish painter Diego RodrÐ"­guez de Silva y VelÐ"ÐŽzquez is known as one of Europe’s most supreme and influential painters in history. Born in Seville, Spain, shortly before his baptism on June 6, 1599, Diego VelÐ"ÐŽzquez was the son Juan RodrÐ"­guez de Silva, a lawyer of Jewish decent, and JerÐ"Ñ-nima VelÐ"ÐŽzquez.

Diego VelÐ"ÐŽzquez began his education as a painter at the age of 12, he began a six year apprenticeship with Francisco Pacheco. In the future, Diego VelÐ"ÐŽzquez abandons Francisco Pacheco’s old style of painting, and adopted his own highly individual style. The artist begins to paint landscapes, mythologies and religious subjects. Before Diego left Seville for Madrid, he created “The Supper at Emmaus”. This masterpiece presents Christ and his disciples as they recognize him as Risen Christ.

Shortly after Diego VelÐ"ÐŽzquez finished his painting “The Supper at Emmaus” in 1623, he is summoned by the King of Spain to Madrid, to paint a portrait of the King Philip IV. The portrait became a great success, and led him to become the King of Spain’s patron.

Diego VelÐ"ÐŽzquez continued his studies by traveling to Italy in the June of 1629.

In Rome he copied “The Forge of Vulcan” and “Joseph's Coat Presented to Jacob”, these paintings were based on the Italian style of painting he had been studying. In January of 1631, he returned to his native country.

After his return home, he painted many pictures for the new prince of Spain. He also painted many paintings of the royal family, previously, he had painted paintings of forty portraits King Philip, and some of his first wife and her children.

In 1649, Diego VelÐ"ÐŽzquez was sent back to Italy to buy painting