Diego Velazquez: 1599-1660: the Face of Spain

Diego Velazquez: 1599-1660: the Face of Spain
Master of illusion: VelÃ¡zquez, virtuoso of the Spanish Golden Age

Court painter to King Philip IV of Spain, Diego RodrÃguez de Silva y VelÃ¡zquez (June 1599â€“August 6, 1660) is not only a leading light of the Spanish Golden Age, but among the most celebrated masters in all Western art history. Monet and Renoir, Corot and Courbet, Degas and DalÃ all hailed his influence. Picasso was so inspired by his masterpiece Las Meninas that he painted 44 variations of it.

VelÃ¡zquezâ€™s importance is found particularly in his naturalist approach, in contrast to the more ubiquitous idealized manner of his age. Early works included numerous â€œbodegonesâ€, genre scenes of everyday life in early 17th century Spain, in which warm, rich tones and textures set off the most ordinary of subjects and humble of faces, such as Old Woman Frying Eggs.

Later, his portraiture for the Royal Court brought the same naturalism to the highest echelons of society, marking a profound shift in the depiction of royalty with softer, more relaxed poses that offered his subjects a human warmth and character as much as a sense of grandeur. VelÃ¡zquezâ€™s most famous work, Las Meninas, was also painted in the royal court, but in its enigmatic composition raises many broader questions about reality and illusion and the relationship between the painter, painting, and viewer.

This fresh TASCHEN Basic Art 2.0 edition introduces VelÃ¡zquez through key works from throughout his career. From humble genre scenes to the royal portraits, the exquisite Rockeby Venus nude, and the ever-mysterioius Las Meninas, we explore his exceptional attention to composition, masterful handling of tone, and his remarkable influence as, in Manetâ€™s words, â€œthe greatest painter of all.â€

About the series:
Each book in TASCHENâ€™s Basic Art series features:
- a detailed chronological summary of the life and oeuvre of the artist, covering his or her cultural and historical importance
- a concise biography
- approximately 100 illustrations with explanatory captions
Country USA
Brand Taschen
Manufacturer Taschen America Llc
Binding Hardcover
ItemPartNumber YES23617479
UnitCount 1
EANs 9783836532105
ReleaseDate 0000-00-00

Country	USA
Brand	Taschen
Manufacturer	Taschen America Llc
Binding	Hardcover
ItemPartNumber	YES23617479
UnitCount	1
EANs	9783836532105
ReleaseDate	0000-00-00

Diego Velazquez: 1599-1660: the Face of Spain

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