Francisco de Zurbaran (Zurbarn Francisco de)

(1598-1664)
Baptized Nov. 7, 1598 in Fuente de Cantos in the province of Badajoz. Studied in Seville and finally settled there in 1628. During his stay in Madrid in 1634 Zurbaran was promoted to the court artist, and wrote several songs for the royal palace, including a few battle scenes. In these studies significantly influence painting Husepe Ribera. The best works of Zurbaran were executed in 1630-1640-ies: three series of works created for the church in Jerez, the monastery of Guadalupe and the cathedral in Seville.
Zurbaran's main contribution to the art of baroque - an extraordinary fusion of the mystical and real, whether religious painting, portrait or still life. Figures of the characters depicted carefully modeled as three-dimensional volume of the statue. In his paintings on religious subjects reflected silence, solitude and contemplative detachment Spanish monastery 17. For Zurbaran paintings characterized by ascetic simplicity of images in a very orderly and original compositions, bold use of deep dark tones. At the heart of many of his works are skillfully reworked plots Flemish engravings.

Most of the works by Zurbaran located in Madrid, Seville, Cadiz and Guadalupe. Painting by Zurbaran had a noticeable impact on Latin American art.