The Jester

The Jester

Painting
There is a much complete series of jesters painted by Diego Velázquez (1599-1660), Don Sebastian de Morra is my favourite one. In all those paintings portraying these misshapen, fool human beings which are really unique in the history of Art, Velazquez is capable of bringing out his innate sense of elegance, a certain distance, a great tenderness and deep respect for the models whom he never derides. The melancholic expressiveness, a cautious and discreet look in their eyes, the wonderful red and green harmony of the clothes. The painter Ramon Gaya wrote beautiful and accurate words on these paintings: ‘All the scholars devoted to Velazquez have tried to decipher every probable meaning hidden in the series of jesters. Most of the time, they have turned Velazquez into a kind and…
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Antonio Moro

Antonio Moro

Painting
Visiting the Prado Museum anytime is certainly one of the benefits of buying the yearly subscription for the national Museums. One can go there to watch a work in particular or to poke around the bookshop without paying any entrance costs. Today I am heading to one of my favourite halls, the one where the portraits done by Van Dyck are displayed. Anyway, I am well aware of my true motive: standing in front of the outstanding painting of María de Inglaterra (Mary of England) by Antonio Moro, 1517-1576, (whose real name is Anthonis Moor Van Dashort), the most amazing portraitist in the Flemish School for the whole 16th century. Mary, with her stern, intelligent and piercing eyes make us feel a bit uneasy, the thin pursed lips slightly unveiling…
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