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'''Diego Rodriguez de Silva (Velazquez)''' (1599-1660) was an [[artist]] of [[Portugal|Portuguese]] descent, although born in [[Seville]], [[Spain]]. his early paintings show a naturalistic view of things in a strong light. He bacame a court painter in [[Madrid]], but under the influence of [[Reubens]] he travelled to [[Italy]] from 1629-31. Here he painted ''[[Los Barrachos]]'', ''[[Joseph's Coat Brought to Jacob]]'' and ''[[The Forge of Vulcan]]'', all showing his trademark styles of strong colour, with a central male nude against a dark background.

'''Diego Rodriguez de Silva (Velazquez)''' (1599-1660) was an [[artist]] of [[Portugal|Portuguese]] descent, although born in [[Seville]], [[Spain]]. his early paintings show a naturalistic view of things in a strong light. He bacame a court painter in [[Madrid]], but under the influence of [[Reubens]] he travelled to [[Italy]] from 1629-31. Here he painted ''[[Los Barrachos]]'', ''[[Joseph's Coat Brought to Jacob]]'' and ''[[The Forge of Vulcan]]'', all showing his trademark styles of strong colour, with a central male nude against a dark background.

On his return he depicted incidents of the [[Dutch wars of independence]], including the ''[[Surrender of Breda]]'' (1635).

On his return he depicted incidents of the [[Dutch wars of independence]], including the ''[http://www.conservapedia.com/Image:Vel%C3%A1zquez_La_rendici%C3%B3n_de_Breda_1635.jpg Surrender of Breda]'' (1635).

In 1648 Velazquez travelled with a diplomatic group heading for [[Venice]]. Here he painted what is considered one of his finest portraits, ''[[Las Meninas]]'' (1656), a vivid portrait of the ''infanta'' Margarita Teresa with her retinue of ladies and dwarfs.

In 1648 Velazquez travelled with a diplomatic group heading for [[Venice]]. Here he painted what is considered one of his finest portraits, ''[[Las Meninas]]'' (1656), a vivid portrait of the ''infanta'' Margarita Teresa with her retinue of ladies and dwarfs.