Diego Velázquez

(Spanish, 1599–1660)

Diego Velázquez was among the most renowned Spanish painters of the 17th century. The artist’s deft description of light and form are hallmarks of his work. “I would rather be the first painter of common things than second in higher art,” he once said. Born Diego Rodríguez de Silva Velázquez on June 6, 1599 in Seville, Spain, he briefly studied under Francisco Herrera the Elder before becoming the apprentice of Francisco Pacheco. Under Pacheco, the young artist learned to emulate the chiaroscuro of Caravaggio. In 1622, he traveled to Madrid with the hope of gaining royal patronage, and was given a chance to paint a portrait of King Philip IV. Praised for the work by the king, Velázquez was appointed court painter, a position he would hold for the rest of his life. It was in the royal household that Velázquez first saw the works of Titian, whose paintings he profoundly admired. In 1628, Velázquez journeyed to Italy for the first time, where he studied the works of Tintoretto, Raphael, and Michelangelo. He would return to Italy later in life, producing several famed paintings, including a portrait of Pope Innocent X and The Toilet of Venus (1647–1651). Velázquez died on August 6, 1660 in Madrid, Spain. Today, the artist’s works are held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Prado Museum in Madrid, and the National Gallery in London, among others.

Artworks for Sale &
Auction Results

Diego Velázquez (292 results)
Portrait de l’Infante Marguerite Thérèse

School of Diego Velázquez

Portrait de l’Infante Marguerite Thérèse

Sale Date: October 10, 2023

Auction Closed

The three Ages of Man

Circle of Diego Velázquez

The three Ages of Man

Sale Date: October 18, 2023

Auction Closed

Ritratto dell'infante Baltasar Carlos di Spagna

After Diego Velázquez

Ritratto dell'infante Baltasar Carlos di Spagna

Sale Date: September 22, 2023

Auction Closed

Portrait of Philip IV of Spain (1605–1665)

After Diego Velázquez

Portrait of Philip IV of Spain (1605–1665)

Sale Date: September 20, 2023

Auction Closed

Portrait of a little person.

Diego Velázquez

Portrait of a little person.

Sale Date: June 13, 2023

Auction Closed

Portrait of Monsignor Cristoforo Segni (d....

Pietro Neri and Diego Velazquez

Portrait of Monsignor Cristoforo Segni (d....

Sale Date: July 5, 2023

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT DE L'INFANTE MARIA MARGARITA

Follower of Diego Velázquez

PORTRAIT DE L'INFANTE MARIA MARGARITA

Sale Date: June 21, 2023

Auction Closed

Según. El cardenal-infante Fernando de Austria,...

Diego Velázquez

Según. El cardenal-infante Fernando de Austria,...

Sale Date: May 25, 2023

Auction Closed

Portrait of a nobleman

Diego Velázquez

Portrait of a nobleman

Sale Date: April 21, 2023

Auction Closed

Portrait of the infante Marguerite Thérèse

After Diego Velázquez

Portrait of the infante Marguerite Thérèse

Sale Date: April 12, 2023

Auction Closed

Portraits of Children: Two Works

In the manner of Diego Velázquez

Portraits of Children: Two Works

Sale Date: March 10, 2023

Auction Closed

Portrait of Philip IV of Spain

Workshop of Diego Velázquez

Portrait of Philip IV of Spain

Sale Date: December 8, 2022

Auction Closed

Portrait of little girl in pink dress and...

In the manner of Diego Velázquez

Portrait of little girl in pink dress and...

Sale Date: November 29, 2022

Auction Closed

The Triumph of Bacchus, 1629

Follower of Diego Velázquez

The Triumph of Bacchus, 1629

Sale Date: November 17, 2022

Auction Closed

Prince Baltasar Carlos

Circle of Diego Velázquez

Prince Baltasar Carlos

Sale Date: November 4, 2022

Auction Closed

Portrait of Philip IV of Spain (1608-1665),...

Circle of Diego Velázquez

Portrait of Philip IV of Spain (1608-1665),...

Sale Date: July 8, 2022

Auction Closed

Philip IV of Spain

After Diego Velázquez

Philip IV of Spain

Sale Date: June 16, 2022

Auction Closed

Philip IV of Spain

In the manner of Diego Velázquez

Philip IV of Spain

Sale Date: May 12, 2022

Auction Closed

Portrait of Philip IV of Spain (1605-1665),...

Follower of Diego Velázquez

Portrait of Philip IV of Spain (1605-1665),...

Sale Date: December 8, 2021

Auction Closed

Portrait d'homme portant une lavallière

Follower of Diego Velázquez

Portrait d'homme portant une lavallière

Sale Date: November 22, 2021

Auction Closed

Portrait of the Jester Don Diego de Acedo, 'El...

After Diego Velázquez

Portrait of the Jester Don Diego de Acedo, 'El...

Sale Date: October 19, 2021

Auction Closed

Portrait of a woman, bust-length, wearing a lace

Follower of Diego Velázquez

Portrait of a woman, bust-length, wearing a lace

Sale Date: April 23, 2021

Auction Closed

DER TRIUMPH DES BACCHUS

After Diego Velázquez

DER TRIUMPH DES BACCHUS

Sale Date: March 25, 2021

Auction Closed

Portrait of the Infante Felipe Próspero, Prince...

In the manner of Diego Velázquez

Portrait of the Infante Felipe Próspero, Prince...

Sale Date: December 17, 2020

Auction Closed

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