In Spain, the Baroque style flourished especially in 1625 through 1660. Baroque comes from the Spanish word barroco which means an imperfect pearl; elaborate with lots of details. Spain developed its own distinctive style and emphasis. Its style was realistic and the emphasis was placed on court portraits seeing as how the Monarchs were the patrons. Spanish Baroque art has a quality of dignity. Two Spanish artists included Diego Velazquez and Francisco de Zurbaran.
The Three Musicians, Diego Velázquez, around 1616, From the collection of: Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
This piece of art is by Diego Velazquez and is made with oil. It is a still life portrait. It is focused on music and the little boy's smile is mysterious. His smile also shows that music can be appreciated by all ages. The two other gentleman standing are intense and focused. The boy is taking a second to enjoy the moment and sip on some sort of drink. There is also a slight outline of a black man all the way to the left. There is a use of literal light and dark as well as moral blackness. The black man would not have been able to join in the festivities.
An Old Woman Cooking Eggs, Diego Velazquez, 1618, From the collection of: National Galleries Scotland: National
This is another oil canvas of what seems to be a still life of a mother or grandmother and a child. The woman is preparing some sort of food with the help of the little boy. Something I first noticed was the solemn, serious faces of the people in this piece. This piece is also extremely realistic and has a very nice balance of light and dark, yet again.
This third piece by Velazquez is an oil piece but this time a portrait. This portrait is a little different than many others. In this the mans eyes are intense and create emotion but they're not looking directly at you. The wrinkles and gray hair helps contribute to what I think is age, wisdom, maybe even built up hurt or agony.
The Infante Baltasar Carlos on Horseback, Workshop of Diego Velázquez, After 1635, From the collection of: Dulwich Picture Gallery
Velazquez's last piece is another oil piece that has a concentration of religion. I find this piece humorous. The detail, the sense of reality, the use of colors and shading pulls this piece together.
Saint Francis of Assisi according to Pope Nicholas V's Vision, Francisco de Zurbarán, Around 1640, From the collection of: Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya - MNAC, Barcelona
This is a portrait painting by Zurbaran. This portrait has an amazing use of light, dark, and shadowing. He seems to be looking up to God for light. The look on his face is solemn but not expressionless. I think he is praying for change, his face looks as though he has been through a lot.
Fray Pedro Machado, Francisco de Zurbarán, 1628/1664, From the collection of: Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando
This is another painting by Zurbaran. This painting is extremely realistic. The use of highlighting and light in this is spot on. Again, you can see a stern expression but it isn't emotionless. The wrinkles on his face are visible and give a meaning of aging and stress. I am enthralled with the detail and how real the table cloth and the robe the man is wearing both look.
The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John the Baptist, Francisco de Zurbarán, 1662, From the collection of: Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao
The third piece by Zurbaran is of Mary and baby Jesus and it is an oil painting. The lamb and St. John is also there. A common theme truly is a contrast of light and dark. This one has splashes of color which gives it extra pizzazz. St. John looks hopeful towards the baby and Mary looks lovingly. The fruit on the platter is yet again, realistic.
The Child Virgin Asleep, Francisco de Zurbarán, 1630 - 1635, From the collection of: Fundación Banco Santander
And lastly, this is one more oil painting by Zurbaran. This is another religious one of whom I believe to be Mary again. The glow of the face radiates her being and adds the innocence of the child. The simplicity of what the painting is yet the detail the painting achieves is incredible. Zooming into the flowers in the bowl of water, you see the amount of detail put into only one small part of the painting, I can only imagine the amount of work put into the whole thing.
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