Bartolomé Esteban Perez Murillo ( * 1618 † 1682 )

Artist Bartolomé Esteban Perez Murillo

Experience the gentle beauty of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo's art, whose paintings are filled with light, warmth, and compassion. His affectionate portrayals of children, saints, and the Virgin Mary have touched people's hearts for centuries. Bring this timeless harmony into your home – as an art print, poster, canvas painting, or handcrafted artwork tailored to your preferences!

Murillo, the son of a barber, was born on January 1, 1618, in Seville and, after the death of his parents, was raised by his sister. At the age of 27, he married and had 9 children with his wife. His base of operations was Seville, where he apprenticed, initially painting relatively cheap fairground pictures but later becoming known and respected for his Christian paintings.

In 1660, Bartolomé Esteban Perez Murillo, along with other artists, founded the Academy of Fine Arts in Seville, becoming its first president. The aim of the academy was to foster artistic talent and elevate the reputation of painting in Spain. Following the death of his wife in 1664, he was initially unable to continue painting due to his grief and withdrew with his children to a Capuchin monastery. In the subsequent period, he painted many of his major religious works: altarpieces for the Augustinian monastery, the Church of Santa María la Blanca, and the Hospital de los Venerables Sacerdotes. His works are distinguished by sensitive depictions of religious scenes, soft lighting, and warm colors.

In addition to his numerous Madonna paintings and depictions of saints, Murillo was also known for his genre paintings, in which he portrayed the lives of ordinary people—especially poor children—in a dignified manner rarely seen before. These works showcase his great observational skills and a high degree of empathy. At the age of 64, he died on April 3, 1682, after sustaining injuries from a fall from scaffolding while working on a church painting. His artistic legacy continues to live on and influenced many painters of subsequent generations in Spain and throughout Europe.

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All images by Bartolomé Esteban Perez Murillo

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