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An Old Woman Cooking Eggs
Diego Velázquez
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Diego Velázquez
An Old Woman Cooking Eggs1618On Display | NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCOTLAND
Velázquez was eighteen or nineteen when he painted this remarkable picture. It clearly demonstrates his flair for painting people and everyday objects directly from life. His fascination with contrasting materials and textures and the play of light and shadow on opaque and reflective surfaces resulted in brilliant passages of painting, especially the eggs cooking in hot oil and the varied domestic utensils. At the start of his career Velázquez painted a number of these kitchen or tavern scenes, called 'bodegónes' in Spanish.
Glossary Open
Bodegón
Spanish word used to describe kitchen or tavern scenes often with a prominent still-life element.
Opaque
Something that is not clear, or which does not transmit or reflect light. It can also specifically refer to pigments used to darken areas of photographs.
Details
- Accession no. NG 2180
- Medium Oil on canvas
- Size 100.50 x 119.50 cm (framed: 148.00 x 128.60 x 7.60 cm)
- Credit Purchased with the aid of The Art Fund and a Treasury Grant 1955
Diego Velázquez (Spanish, 1599 - 1660)
Velázquez became the leading Spanish artist of the seventeenth century. His outstanding skills were evident in his early works in Seville, and his talent for portraiture soon brought him to the attention of the court in Madrid. He moved there on his appointment as painter to King Philip IV in 1623. He was inspired by Titian's paintings in the Spanish royal collection and visited Italy twice. His innovative designs, and bold dazzling brushwork brought universal admiration. Velázquez was honoured as a knight for his artistic and diplomatic services in 1658.