I, Juan de Pareja facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Elizabeth Borton de Treviño |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
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Publication date
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June 1965 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 192 |
I, Juan de Pareja is an exciting novel written by American author Elizabeth Borton de Treviño. It won the famous Newbery Medal in 1966 for being an excellent book for young readers. The story is inspired by a real painting called Portrait of Juan de Pareja. This painting was made by the famous artist Diego Velázquez. The book tells the story from the point of view of Juan de Pareja himself. He was a real person who worked for Velázquez.
Contents
The Story of Juan de Pareja
Juan de Pareja is born into slavery in Seville, Spain, in the early 1600s. When he is only five years old, his mother passes away. Juan then becomes a pageboy for a rich Spanish lady named Emilia.
After Doña Emilia and Juan's master also pass away, a kind man named Brother Isidro helps Juan. He makes sure Juan is taken to Don Diego Velázquez. Don Diego is Emilia's nephew and a very famous painter.
Life with Diego Velázquez
Diego Velázquez lives with his wife, Juana de Miranda, and their two young daughters. Juan's main job is to help his master with painting. He grinds the colors, sets up the paints, washes brushes, and builds canvas frames.
Even though Juan is always around when Diego paints, he is not allowed to paint himself. This is because he is a slave, and Spanish laws at that time forbid it.
Two students, Cristobal and Alvaro, join the household as Diego's apprentices. Juan doesn't like Cristobal much, but he finds Alvaro to be a pleasant person.
Painting for the King
Diego Velázquez is asked to paint the king's portrait. So, he and his family, along with Juan and the apprentices, move to the palace grounds.
During this time, a famous artist named Peter Paul Rubens visits. Juan meets a slave girl named Miri and likes her very much.
Juan travels with Diego to Italy. While there, Juan secretly starts buying art supplies. He wants to try painting and drawing on his own. He keeps this a secret from the Velázquez family.
Diego's daughter, Paquita, falls in love with an apprentice named Juan Bautista del Mazo. They get married.
Secret Art and New Friends
One day, during a hunting trip, Juan saves the king's dog. He uses herbal medicine to help the injured hound. Juan also gets to know the king's court entertainers, many of whom are dwarves.
Later, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo from Seville becomes Diego's apprentice. Murillo treats Juan like a friend.
During church visits, Juan feels guilty about painting in secret. He has been breaking the law and his master's trust. Murillo tells Juan that painting is not a sin. He advises Juan to confess his secret to a priest. Murillo also suggests Juan should tell his master when the time is right.
Challenges and New Opportunities
On their first trip to Italy, Diego gets very sick from seasickness. His hand becomes shaky, and he worries if he can still paint. Juan prays for him to get better.
Diego is asked to paint a portrait of Pope Innocent X. He practices by painting Juan's portrait first. Juan uses this portrait to get painting jobs from other Italian noblemen.
When they return to Spain, Juan meets Juana de Miranda's new slave, Lolis. Juan finds her very attractive.
Freedom and Family
During a visit from the king, Juan finally reveals his secret: he has been painting. Instead of being angry, Diego writes a note that makes Juan a free man and his assistant.
Juan then asks for Lolis's hand in marriage. This leads Juana to write a similar note, freeing Lolis.
Sadly, Paquita and Juana later pass away. Diego continues to paint important portraits for the king.
Diego eventually falls ill and passes away. The king asks Juan to help him paint a cross on Diego's self-portrait in Las Meninas. This was a special honor given to Diego after his death.
Juan and Lolis then return to Seville. Juan opens a painting studio with Murillo, and they live there with their family.
