Diego Velazquez (June 6, 1599 – August 6, 1660) was a Spanish painter of the 17th century whose early works were characterized with religious themes. He was born in Seville, Spain, where at the age of 11 years, he went into art apprenticeship for 6 years with Francisco Pacheco, a local and respected painter. Although most of his works of art are centered on religion, he was also influenced by the works of Caravaggio, an Italian painter who explored great naturalism. Velazquez later gained his fame through realistic portraits while working as a member of King Philip IV's court.
He moved to Madrid in 1622 where things worked out very well for him, courtesy of his father in law Pacheco, who was his teacher. Velazquez got a chance to paint Duke of Olivares and King Philip IV before the king appointed him the official painter of his court. He interacted with several artists and got access to several art works before he later moved to Italy in 1629 where he was further influenced by Italian artists. Velazquez remains one of the most acclaimed Western art makers, with artists like Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso considering him as a great influence in their artistic lives. During the later times of his artistic life, Velazquez created a widely acclaimed portrait of Pope Innocent X and "Las Meninas." Although it’s been centuries since he passed on, his artistic works continue to sell. There are framed Diego Velazquez art pieces that art and several others in diverse finishing options.