Francisco de Zurbarán

Francisco de Zurbarán was a Spanish Baroque painter renowned for his intense chiaroscuro, refined naturalism and deeply spiritual compositions. He was a leading figure of the Spanish Golden Age.

Born in 1598 in Fuente de Cantos, Extremadura, Zurbarán was apprenticed to Pedro Díaz de Villanueva in Seville from 1614 to 1617. His mature style was shaped by the austere spirituality of Spanish mysticism and the Counter-Reformation climate. While some scholars have noted similarities between Zurbarán’s use of light and shadow and Caravaggism, there is no evidence that he was directly influenced by Caravaggio. Instead, his approach was more closely aligned with earlier Spanish artists, such as Juan Sánchez Cotán and Francisco Pacheco.

Zurbarán’s career flourished in the 1620s and 1630s, particularly through commissions from religious orders, including the Dominicans, Carthusians, and Mercedarians. His paintings, such as Saint Serapion (1628) and The Apotheosis of Saint Thomas Aquinas (1631), embody a serene yet dramatic intensity, often depicting monks, saints and martyrs in states of deep contemplation or divine ecstasy. His figures, rendered with sculptural solidity and stark contrasts of light and shadow, convey an almost tangible presence.

While best known for religious compositions, Zurbarán also excelled in still-life painting, demonstrating a meticulous attention to detail. Works such as Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose (1633) reflect his mastery of form and light, elevating everyday objects to an almost mystical significance.

By the mid-17th century, Zurbarán’s fortunes declined as Seville’s economy weakened and artistic tastes shifted toward the more theatrical style of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. In 1658, seeking new patrons, he moved to Madrid. His later years were marked by financial hardship.

Zurbarán died in 1664, and his influence waned in the years following his death. However, his work was rediscovered in the 19th and 20th centuries, admired for its meditative intensity and technical brilliance. His paintings are now held in major collections worldwide, including the Prado Museum in Madrid, the Louvre in Paris, and the National Gallery in London.