José de Cieza facts for kids

José de Cieza (born 1656, died 1692) was an important Spanish painter from the 17th century. He was known for his skill in different types of painting, from large theatre scenes to detailed flower pictures.
Early Life and Training
José de Cieza was born in 1656 in the city of Granada, Spain. He grew up in an artistic family, as his father, Miguel Geronimo de Cieza, was also a painter. José learned many of his painting skills directly from his father. This early training helped him become a very talented artist.
Moving to Madrid
In 1686, José de Cieza moved to Madrid, the capital city of Spain. This was a big step for his career. Madrid was a busy place with many opportunities for artists.
Working for the King
Once in Madrid, José de Cieza quickly found work. He was hired to paint scenes for the theatre at Buen Retiro Park. This was a very important job because the theatre was often visited by the royal family. His talent was noticed, and in 1689, he became an official painter for Charles II of Spain, who was the king at that time. Being a royal painter was a great honor and showed how skilled he was.
Artistic Style and Subjects
José de Cieza was a versatile artist, meaning he could paint many different things.
- He was very good at painting with a type of paint called distemper. This paint was often used for large murals or theatre backdrops.
- He also painted with oil paints.
- His subjects included historical events, beautiful landscapes, and detailed flower arrangements.
José de Cieza died in Madrid in 1692.