Velázquez

Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Culture - European Union - NextGenerationEU. An educational podcast for children in which we travel back in time to 1656 to visit the Spanish Golden Age and meet one of the greatest painters in Spanish history: Diego Velázquez. In this episode of "History Has a Voice," we will land in the court of Madrid to talk to the creator of "Las Meninas." Velázquez was born in Seville in 1599 and began training in the art of painting at the age of 11. His talent was so extraordinary that he became the official painter of King Philip IV. But he didn't just paint portraits of royalty; he also painted jesters, ordinary people and even slaves with great dignity, encouraging the world to see them in a more favorable light. In this episode, we will delve into the secrets of "Las Meninas," an immense work in which he painted to assert that artists are not mere craftsmen, but creators. He will explain how he achieved that effect of "reality" that makes the viewer feel part of the scene. We will also learn the moving story of Juan de Pareja, his assistant and slave, whom Velázquez granted his freedom and painted with great nobility. An inspiring journey to learn how to find beauty in everyday life and look at others with respect. A very useful and interesting resource for children. It is perfect for introducing Baroque art in primary education, fostering artistic appreciation, and working on values such as human dignity and equality.