Historical Figure
Francisco de Zurbarán
1598–1664
Spanish painter (1598–1664)
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Biography
Francisco de Zurbarán was a Spanish painter. He is known primarily for his religious paintings depicting monks, nuns, and martyrs, and for his still-lifes. Zurbarán gained the nickname "Spanish Caravaggio", owing to the forceful use of chiaroscuro in which he excelled.
Timeline
The story of Francisco de Zurbarán, told in moments.
Signed a contract to paint 21 canvases for the Dominican monastery of San Pablo el Real in Seville. He was 27. The commission made his name.
Summoned to Madrid by Philip IV to paint the Hall of Realms in the Buen Retiro palace. Worked alongside Velazquez, who got the better wall.
His Spanish commissions dried up. He pivoted to the colonial market, shipping paintings in bulk to Peru and New Spain. Many survive in South American churches.
Artifacts (5)
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