Although for a long time it was believed that he was from Seville, existing documents reveal that Roelas was born in Flanders around 1570 and worked in Valladolid in the late 16th century, for the Duke of Lerma. Later on he was ordained a priest and in 1603 he moved to Olivares (Seville). From that town he went to Seville to combine his work as a painter with the chaplaincy in the Church of El Salvador. He moved to Madrid in 1616, hoping to be appointed Court Painter, but he did not manage it. After working for the Duke of Medina Sidonia in Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cadiz), he returned to Seville in 1619. His work greatly influenced the following generation, especially Velázquez and Murillo. He died in Olivares (Seville) in 1625.
Highlighted works
- Martirio de San Andrés
- Alegoría de la Inmaculada Concepción
- La resurrección de Santa Leocadia
- La Sagrada Familia con Santa Ana y San Joaquín