Diego Velázquez

Diego Velázquez, born in 1599 in Seville and died in 1660 in Madrid, was a Spanish painter and the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV. His works, such as 'Las Meninas' and 'The Surrender of Breda,' are celebrated for their masterful use of light and shadow, and their psychological depth, capturing the essence of the Spanish Golden Age. Velázquez's contributions to Baroque art and his exploration of portraiture and historical themes have established him as a pivotal figure in 17th-century painting, reflecting the grandeur and complexity of his time.