Diego Velázquez: 12 works

A slideshow of artworks auto-selected from multiple collections

By Google Arts & Culture

Luis de Góngora y Argote (1622) by Diego Rodríguez de Silva y VelázquezMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston

'Velázquez's abilities as both painter and observer make him one of the great portraitists of Western painting; this early work is among his most incisive psychological studies. Painted during Velázquez's first trip to court, this portrait may well have led to his first royal commission and swift appointment as a court painter.'

Luncheon (1617) by Diego VelazquezThe State Hermitage Museum

'The young man on the right is probably a self portrait of Velazquez himself.'

Tavern Scene with Two Men and a Girl (ca. 1618–1619) by Diego Rodríguez de Silva y VelázquezMuseum of Fine Arts, Budapest

'In the history of western painting, besides Raphael, Titian and Rembrandt only Velázquez belongs in this club. Manet called him the "painters' painter", and Picasso painted a host of paraphrases to uncover his secret.'

Portrait of a Lady (around 1630) by Diego VelázquezGemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin

'If Zurbarán, Velázquez's contemporary and fellow Andalusian, remained committed throughout his life to stark contrasts of light and shade, Velázquez did not.'

Portrait of Don Pedro de Barberana (c. 1631–33) by Diego VelázquezKimbell Art Museum

'Born and trained in Seville, Velázquez moved to Madrid, where he served King Philip IV from 1623. As court painter, his main responsibility was to produce portraits of the royal family and their circle.'

Don Juan Mateos (d.1643) (just before 1634) by VelázquezOld Masters Picture Gallery, Dresden State Art Museums

'At the same time it is one of the very few portraits that can be identified as a work by Velázquez, which does not portray a member of the royal family, a minister, a court fool or dwarf, who inhabited the royal palace.'

The Infante Baltasar Carlos on Horseback (After 1635) by Workshop of Diego VelázquezDulwich Picture Gallery

'The original hung in the Salón de Reinos in the Buen Retiro palace in Madrid, between two great equestrian portraits of the sitter's parents, King Philip IV and Queen Isobel, also by Velázquez.'

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'This portrait is a study for the figure who gazes out from the far right of Velázquez's Surrender of Breda (ca.'

King Philip IV of Spain King Philip IV of Spain (1644) by Diego Rodríguez de Silva y VelázquezThe Frick Collection

'In 1644 Velázquez accompanied the King on a campaign to Catalonia, where the Spanish army led a successful siege of Lérida against the French.'

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'Velázquez painted some of his most vibrant and animated portraits while in Italy from 1649 to 1650.'

Portrait of a Man (circa 1651 - 1652) by Diego VelazquezChrysler Museum of Art

'Is this the work of famed Spanish artist Diego Velázquez?'

Philip IV, King of Spain (1644-60) by Velázquez, Diego Rodríguez de Silva yDulwich Picture Gallery

'The Dulwich portrait of Philip IV is a version of an original of 1644, now in the Frick Collection, New York, which was painted by Velázquez in a makeshift studio in Catalonia while the King prepared for battle against the French. This version may have been painted by Juan Bautista del Mazo, Velázquez's son-in-law.'

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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