Velasquez, Diego
1599-1660

Spanish painter best known for the brilliant series of portraits at the Spanish court.

Velasquez did many portraits of king, court dwarfs and jesters. His genius lay in his ability to seize the essential spirit of his subjects and fix it forever on canvas.

He also painted great historical events of his time, and scenes of everyday life.

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Vermeer, Jan
1632-1675

Dutch artist painting mostly middle-class people in simply furnished rooms.

There is always an air of quiet and timeless happiness in his canvases. The light is soft, and the outlines of all forms slightly blurred. His favorite colors, blue and yellow, make a cool harmony.

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