476. Francisco de Zurbarán (1598-1664),

Spanish, St. Ursula, 1641-1658.

Oil on canvas, 195 x 109 cm.

Private collection, Paris. Classicism.

 

 

Francisco de Zurbarán

(1598 Fuente de Cantos – 1664 Madrid)

 

Contemporary and friend of Velázquez, Zurbarán distinguished himself in his religious paintings. There, his works reveal great force and mysticism. The emblematic artist of the Counter-Reformation, he was first influenced by Caravaggio and acquired an austere and dark style before getting closer to the Italian Mannerists. Later, his compositions moved away from Velázquez’s realism and became lighter. He was commissioned by Franciscan and Carthusian monasteries to produce religious works, including several versions on the theme of Mary’s Immaculate Conception. He also painted still-lifes, and mythological themes.