From Slave to Painter of the King

A recently discovered canvas of a hound holding a candle in its mouth is by Juan de Pareja, a painter who led an extraordinary life. He began as a slave in the studio of Diego Velázquez, secured his freedom, and forged a successful career as an artist in seventeenth-century Spain. Born in 1606 in the province of Malaga, Pareja was of mixed race: his mother was a Moor, his father Spanish. Spain was a
prolific slave-trading nation, and most artists owned slaves. While grinding colours and stretching canvases in the workshop of Velázquez, Pareja formed his ambition to become a painter. 

Published by Voena Publishing, in collaboration with Robilant+Voena
Edited by Carolyn Miner
Copyright © Voena Publishing 2020