Velázquez and Dutch Masters: Baroque Artistry

Velázquez: Master of Spanish Baroque Painting

Early Life and Artistic Development

Diego Velázquez, a Spanish painter and the highest representative of Spanish Baroque painting, was born in Seville on June 6, 1599. Coming from a bourgeois family in Seville, he was the eldest of six children. Between 1611 and 1617, the young Velázquez worked as an apprentice of his future father-in-law, Francisco Pacheco, a Mannerist painter and author of the important treatise The Art of Painting (1649).

During his apprenticeship, Velázquez learned the prevailing tenebrist naturalism of his day, derived from Italian and Flemish realism. Velázquez's earliest works, executed between 1617 and 1623, can be divided into three categories:

• Still life (everyday objects combined with still lifes)
• Portraits
• Religious scenes

Las Meninas: A Masterpiece Unveiled

Las Meninas is considered one of the greatest works in art history. One of its secrets is its ability to elevate an everyday scene to a relevant subject. Velázquez, often called the "painter of air," depicted his own working day:

In the mirror on the rear wall, King Philip IV and Queen Mariana of Austria are reflected, the true subjects of the painting Velázquez is working on. The Infanta Margarita watches her parents, surrounded by her attendants and the family dog.

The painting features:

• King Philip IV and Queen Mariana of Austria (reflected in the mirror)
• The Infanta Margarita (at the center)
• Isabel de Velasco and Agustina Sarmiento (the Meninas or maids of honor)
• The dwarfs, Mari Bárbola and Nicolás Pertusato (the latter playing with the mastiff at his feet)
• Marcela de Ulloa and an unidentified character (behind them)
• Don José Nieto, the Queen's chamberlain (in the background, at the vanishing point of the composition, standing in the doorway)
• Velázquez himself (almost in shadow, behind his canvas)

Dutch Golden Age Painting: Rembrandt & Vermeer

Dutch painters experienced their Golden Age from the early 17th century, when their school of painting developed based on the Baroque style, influenced by Caravaggio. These painters set an example for the rest of Europe in the technique of applying oil paints, a method that placed them ahead of their time, creating portraits and landscapes with an exceptionally high degree of realism. The iconic figures of Dutch Golden Age painting are Rembrandt and Vermeer.

Rembrandt: The Painter of Human Drama

Rembrandt was a painter of immense personality. He is often considered the painter of the human condition, revealing a profound vision of destiny that imbues his works with drama. Rembrandt's paintings often lean towards darkness, depicting night scenes or the somberness of old age. His works are almost monochrome, as he frequently used a single color throughout his palette, applied with broad and thick brushstrokes. He also attached great importance to creating strong light contrasts.

Rembrandt distinguished himself as a portraitist, excelling in both individual and group portraits. One of his peculiarities is the extensive collection of self-portraits he created. He was deeply concerned with capturing the psychological expression of his subjects, as well as their physical appearance.

Jan Vermeer: Master of Intimate Light

Jan Vermeer is the foremost representative of the intimate Baroque painters of the Netherlands. Vermeer focused his scenes on rooms and intimate environments. Female figures predominate, often depicted performing tasks in front of a bright window, showcasing his excellent command of light.

Vermeer's most important works include:

• Woman Holding a Balance
• The Lacemaker
• The Milkmaid
• The Music Lesson

Regarding landscapes, Vermeer used a very low horizon line to represent the vast Dutch plains. In these landscapes, he masterfully represented the atmosphere, with an excellent capture of light and its reflections.