Carreño de Miranda facts for kids
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Juan Carreño de Miranda (born March 1614, died September 1685) was a famous Spanish painter from the Baroque period. He was known for his beautiful portraits and for working for the Spanish royal family.
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Who Was Juan Carreño de Miranda?
Juan Carreño de Miranda was an important artist in 17th-century Spain. He became one of the most respected painters of his time, especially known for capturing the likeness of people in his portraits.
Early Life and Training
Juan Carreño de Miranda was born in Avilés, a town in Asturias, Spain. His father was also a painter, and he had the same name. When Juan was about nine years old, in 1623, his family moved to Madrid, the capital city.
In Madrid, young Juan began his art training in the late 1620s. He learned from two well-known artists, Pedro de las Cuevas and Bartolomé Roman. This training helped him develop the skills he would later use to become a master painter.
Becoming a Royal Painter
Carreño de Miranda's talent soon caught the eye of Diego Velázquez, who was a very famous painter for the king. Velázquez noticed Carreño's work in some important buildings in Madrid.
In 1658, Carreño was asked to help paint large wall paintings, called frescoes, in the Alcázar palace (which is now the Royal Palace of Madrid). These paintings showed stories from ancient myths. His work was so good that in 1669, he was officially named a "Painter of the King." This was a very important job, meaning he worked directly for the Spanish royal family.
Later, in 1671, he was given an even higher title: "Chamber Painter" to the queen. This meant he was one of the most important artists in the royal court. From this point on, he mainly focused on painting portraits of important people.
Famous for Portraits
Juan Carreño de Miranda is mostly remembered today for his amazing portraits. He had a special skill for showing the personality and feelings of the people he painted. He once famously said, "Painting needs no honors, it can give them to the whole world." This showed how much he believed in the power and importance of art.
His Legacy
Carreño de Miranda taught many students who also became successful artists. Some of his main students included Mateo Cerezo, Cabezalero, Donoso, Ledesma, and Sotomayor. He passed away in Madrid in 1685, leaving behind a wonderful collection of artworks that are still admired today.
