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Bartolome Esteban Murillo
1617-1682
Spanish Baroque Painter
Stylistically influenced by the following painters and art styles ; - Tintoretto, Titian Paolo Veronese, and Diego Velázquez
Studied und Juan del Castillo
Mediums - painting
Cause of Death - Old Age
Biography
The intense emotionalism
and spirituality of
Bartolome Esteban
Murillo's paintings mark
him as one supreme painters of
the Spain. The
prevailing
characteristic of his
work being intense colour and spatial
inventiveness.
Murillo's figures
express spontaneous,
unfettered
joyfulness--passionate
emotions that are not
contrived or distracted.
His work is bold,
exploratory and intense.
He explored in his
art a new world of
emotion and passion, but
with a lyricism and
profound sensitivity to
color.
According to
noted art historian and Murillo biographer, Jennie Ellis Keysor "Through the greater
part of Murillo’s life
he painted for his
beautiful Seville. In
1680, however, he went
to Cadiz to paint
pictures for the
Capuchins at that place.
He began on the largest
one of the number. It
was to represent the
marriage of St.
Catherine, a favorite
subject of the time.
Events proved that this
was to be his last
picture, for, while
trying to reach the
upper part of it, he
fell from the
scaffolding, receiving
injuries from which he
died two years later.
Gradually his physical
power deserted him until
he did not attempt to
paint at all. Then he
spent much of his time
in religious thought. In
the church of Santa Cruz
near by his home, was a
picture of the “Descent
from the Cross ” by Campana. Before this
picture he spent
[95]many hours, so much
did he admire it. One
evening he remained
later than usual. The
Angelus had sounded, and
the Sacristan wished to
close the church. He
asked the painter why he
lingered so long. He
responded, “I am waiting
until those men have
brought the body of our
blessed Lord down the
ladder.” When Murillo
died he was buried,
according to his wish,
immediately under this
picture.He died in April, 1682. His funeral was of the sort that draws all classes—a beloved man and a profound genius had passed away. His grave was covered with a stone slab on which were carved but few words beside his name. The church was destroyed during the French wars, and the Plaza of Santa Cruz occupies its place. In later years a statue of bronze was erected in one of the squares of the city in honor of Murillo; there it stands, through all changes, the very master spirit of the city.
Changes in Society
The newly emerging painting techniques and styles were a reflection of the transformation that was taking place in Europe, the change from the medieval period to a more enlightened, tolerant society. Artists of the Renaissance were elevated in social standing and their art was no longer looked upon as simple handicrafts, but as divinely inspired creations. The spirit of an era awoke, revitalized with knowledge and creativity. The major painters of the Renaissance were not only artists but men of great genius who gave the world their great intellectual gifts. Florentine and Venetian painting were both formed by extraordinary personalities. These men tackled mathematical, artistic and philosophical problems of the highest interest, and presented solutions that have never lost their value. Leonardo da Vinci asserted "In dealing with a scientific problem, I first arrange several experiments, and then show with reasons why such an experiment must necessarily operate in this and in no other way. This is the method which must be followed in all research upon the phenomenon of nature. We must consult experience in the variety of cases and circumstances until we can draw from them a general rule that is contained in them. And for what purposes are these rules good? They lead us to further investigations of nature and to creations of art. They prevent us from deceiving ourselves and others by promising results which are not obtainable."Key Descriptive Words and Phrases associated with the Renaissance Movement - rebirth, rediscovery of the classical world, publication of Della Pittura, a book about the laws of mathematical perspective for artists, sfumato, chiaroscuro, Savonarola, spiritually significant, illuminated manuscript, idealized biblical themes, scriptorium, illuminator, Age of Discovery, axonometric drawing, curiosity about the natural world, realistic use of colours and light, Bonfire of the Vanities, Old Testament stories, ethereal and foggy backgrounds, Gospel parables, The Blackdeath, romanticized landscapes, Christian symbolism.
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reference Great Artists, Vol 1. Raphael, Rubens, Murillo, and Durer by Jennie Ellis Keysor