Bartolomц? Esteban MURILLO (Murillo Bartolome Esteban)

(1618-1682)
He was baptized on Jan. 1, 1618 in Seville, where he lived all his life (assumption about his trip to Madrid have not received documentary evidence). Cycle of 11 paintings for the Franciscan monastery in Seville, the painter has brought unexpected fame. In 1660 Murillo participated in the creation of the Academy of Fine Arts in Seville and became its first president. Since then begins flowering creativity of the artist. Died Murillo in Seville, April 3, 1682
. Having experienced in youth influence Zurbaran, . Murillo was engaged in religious painting (Madonna Santiago, . NY, . Metropolitan Museum of Art; Immaculate Conception, . Madrid, . Prado), . portraits (Portrait A.de Andrade, . Metropolitan), and scenes from the life of the poor, . But fame brought him to scenes inspired by the life of the Virgin and numerous images of children (Rest on the Flight to Egypt, . St.Petersburg, . Hermitage; Boys with fruit, . Munich, . Alte Pinakothek),
. 20 in art criticism., . accused the Murillo in sentimentality, . probably could have addressed this reproach his disciples, . as the master himself was always careful and precise realist, . sincere and interested observer of life of ordinary people and society,
. Introduction to the composition of additional motifs and details never destroyed the unity of form in his works.

The largest collection of paintings by Murillo are stored in the Prado Museum in Madrid and the Museum of Fine Arts in Seville.