He was born in Avilés in 1614. His father was an Asturian nobleman who did not have much money, and in 1625 he moved to Madrid and started training in Pedro de las Cuevas's workshop. His early paintings were religious, characterised by a strong Baroque style, sumptuous colours and vibrant brushstrokes. In 1669 he was appointed court painter and focused on portraits. He became a faithful portrait artist in the court of Charles II. He painted many portraits of the king, with mainly grave expressions, and he also painted portraits of many other people in the court, with more movement and liveliness. The portraits of the Duke of Pastrana and the Russian ambassador Potemkin are veritable masterpieces. He died in Madrid in 1685.
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Inés de Zúñiga, Countess of Monterrey
The portrait of Inés de Zúñiga, Countess of Monterrey, when she was about twenty, is considered to be one of the most beautiful portraits by this artist and of his time.
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Lázaro Galdiano Museum (Madrid) -
Visitation of the Virgin and Child to Saint Francis
The painting, the work of one of the most important 17th-century court painters, highlights his characteristic style and is validated with his signature.
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Guadalajara Museum (Guadalajara)
Other highlighted works
- Piotr Ivanovich
- Potemkin
- Duke of Pastrana
- Queen Mariana de Austria
- El bufón Francisco Bazán
- Carlos II en el Salón de los Espejos
- Fundación de la Orden de los Trinitarios
- Magdalena penitente
