Bartolome Esteban Murillo By: Katia Hernandez

Background Born on 1618 Birthplace: Seville, Spain Died: 3-Apr-1682 Location of death: Seville, Spain Cause of death: unspecified Gender: Male Religion: Roman Catholic Race or Ethnicity: Hispanic Occupation: Painter

Early Life Murillo was born in 1617 in Seville. His parents died when he was a child, and he went to live with a local artist, Juan del Castillo. As might be expected, Murillo's early works show Castillo's influence. Under him Murillo learned to turn out religious pictures that were sold to small churches in Spain and in the Spanish colonies in America. Murillo was born in 1617 in Seville. His parents died when he was a child, and he went to live with a local artist, Juan del Castillo. As might be expected, Murillo's early works show Castillo's influence. Under him Murillo learned to turn out religious pictures that were sold to small churches in Spain and in the Spanish colonies in America. At some point in his life, probably in the late 1640s, Murillo is believed to have visited Madrid. In any case, after 1650 his use of color and light and his natural, human portrayal of figures seems to show the influence of Diego Velazquez. In Madrid, Murillo would also have seen paintings by the Flemish and Venetian masters, and the work he did in Seville between 1650 and his death seems to show these influences, too. Because Murillo did not put a date on most of his paintings, these changes in his style are often used to determine the order in which he painted them. At some point in his life, probably in the late 1640s, Murillo is believed to have visited Madrid. In any case, after 1650 his use of color and light and his natural, human portrayal of figures seems to show the influence of Diego Velazquez. In Madrid, Murillo would also have seen paintings by the Flemish and Venetian masters, and the work he did in Seville between 1650 and his death seems to show these influences, too. Because Murillo did not put a date on most of his paintings, these changes in his style are often used to determine the order in which he painted them.Diego VelazquezDiego Velazquez Among the pictures painted when Murillo was a youth are several affectionate studies of the ragged boys and the flower girls of Seville. His later works are nearly all serene religious compositions, marked by splendid coloring, great technical skill, and pious intensity. One striking characteristic of these works is the illuminated mist, populated with angels and cherubs, that surrounds the central figures. The few portraits he painted are extremely lifelike. In 1660 Murillo helped found a public academy of art in Seville and served as its first president. Among the pictures painted when Murillo was a youth are several affectionate studies of the ragged boys and the flower girls of Seville. His later works are nearly all serene religious compositions, marked by splendid coloring, great technical skill, and pious intensity. One striking characteristic of these works is the illuminated mist, populated with angels and cherubs, that surrounds the central figures. The few portraits he painted are extremely lifelike. In 1660 Murillo helped found a public academy of art in Seville and served as its first president. In 1681 Murillo was in Cadiz, painting the Espousal of St. Catherine on the walls of the Capuchin monastery there. He fell from the scaffold, and his death on April 3, 1682, apparently resulted from his injuries. Murillo was buried in the church of Santa Cruz in Seville. In 1681 Murillo was in Cadiz, painting the Espousal of St. Catherine on the walls of the Capuchin monastery there. He fell from the scaffold, and his death on April 3, 1682, apparently resulted from his injuries. Murillo was buried in the church of Santa Cruz in Seville.

Middle Years The year 1645 was the turning point for Murillo. In this year, the painter married the wealthy, socially prominent Beatriz Cabrera y Villalobos (with whom he would have eleven children). The same year, Murillo received his first important commission for a Franciscan convent: a series of paintings illustrating the miracles performed by saints of the Franciscan order. This commission was to be the first of a veritable flood: over the course of the decade, Murillo would quickly grow to oust older rival (and stylistic inspiration) Zurbarán as the most popular painter of Seville. The year 1645 was the turning point for Murillo. In this year, the painter married the wealthy, socially prominent Beatriz Cabrera y Villalobos (with whom he would have eleven children). The same year, Murillo received his first important commission for a Franciscan convent: a series of paintings illustrating the miracles performed by saints of the Franciscan order. This commission was to be the first of a veritable flood: over the course of the decade, Murillo would quickly grow to oust older rival (and stylistic inspiration) Zurbarán as the most popular painter of Seville. During these years, Murillo was forced to move with relative frequency, most likely in order to accommodate the frequent births (and deaths) of his children. However, despite these mounting family responsibilities as well as other obstacles, most notably, the disastrous plague of 1649 and a tumultuous uprising of textile workers in 1652, the end of the 1640s and the 1650s were Murillo's busiest years as an artist. In fact, in 1656, Murillo had the honor of executing Seville's largest altarpiece ever (Saint Anthony of Padua). During these years, Murillo was forced to move with relative frequency, most likely in order to accommodate the frequent births (and deaths) of his children. However, despite these mounting family responsibilities as well as other obstacles, most notably, the disastrous plague of 1649 and a tumultuous uprising of textile workers in 1652, the end of the 1640s and the 1650s were Murillo's busiest years as an artist. In fact, in 1656, Murillo had the honor of executing Seville's largest altarpiece ever (Saint Anthony of Padua).

Advance years Murillo continued to garner major commissions and earn Spain's top accolades and honors throughout the 1660s and 1670s and was also widely acclaimed in Europe and the Americas. Sadly, in 1680, while the artist was painting the main altarpiece for the Capuchins Church in Cádiz, Murillo fell from the scaffolding. He died from his injuries a few months later, and was buried in front of his favorite painting in the Cathedral of Seville. Murillo continued to garner major commissions and earn Spain's top accolades and honors throughout the 1660s and 1670s and was also widely acclaimed in Europe and the Americas. Sadly, in 1680, while the artist was painting the main altarpiece for the Capuchins Church in Cádiz, Murillo fell from the scaffolding. He died from his injuries a few months later, and was buried in front of his favorite painting in the Cathedral of Seville.

The Beggar Boy Art work of Bartolome Grape and Melon Eaters Santa Maria la Blanca Inmaculada Concepción Source: Google images