Diego Velazquez: The Painter of Painters

Synopsis: This documentary traces the career of Diego Velazquez (1599-1660), the court painter and favourite of the Spanish King Phillip IV, who rose to prominence as one of the foremost portrait painters in Europe. The film begins at the opening of a major show of Velazquez’ work at the Museo del Prado in Madrid as the camera follows the enormous queue of gallery-goers waiting for the show to open. This is followed by an analysis of Velazquez’ most famous work, "Las Meninas", the complexity and self-reflexiveness of which have made it one of the most analysed works in the history of art. The film also discusses the influence that Velazquez has had on many of the artists who followed him, including Pablo Picasso and Francis Bacon. Francis Bacon was particularly obsessed with his Portrait of Pope Innocent X.
Series: Art Lives, Series
Language: English
Country: Germany
Year of release: 2008
Year of production: 1991
Subjects: Art
Keywords: Bacon, Francis (1909-1992); Picasso, Pablo (1881-1973); Spanish art; Baroque art; Velázquez, Diego

Name: Illuminations
Email: louise@illuminationsmedia.co.uk
Web: http://www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk External site opens in new window
Phone: 020 7288 8400
Address: Studio 121, ScreenWorks
22 Highbury Grove
London
N5 2EF
Notes: Illuminations produces and distributes programmes on arts-related subjects, some of which are made for television and others in conjunction with cultural institutions to accompany specific exhibitions. Many titles are available for sale on DVD, including continuing series on leading contemporary and twentieth century artists and modern architecture, as well as a few programmes on religion, drama, history and ideas.

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British Universities Film & Video Council