Bartolomé Esteban Perez Murillo ( * 1618 † 1682 )

Self-portrait of Bartolomé Esteban Perez Murillo

Murillo: Divine Light Through the Brushes of a Sevillian Artist

 

Bartolomé Esteban Perez Murillo, born on January 1, 1618, in Seville to a humble family with a barber father, was confronted early with the harsh realities of life, losing both parents at a young age. Raised alongside his sister, he discovered his love and talent for art in the vibrant and colorful streets of Seville, where he learned to draw and paint. While his initial works consisted of relatively affordable paintings of fairy tales, he evolved into a celebrated artist renowned for his deeply emotional and spiritual depictions of Christianity.

A major turning point in his artistic career came in 1660 when he founded the Academy of Fine Arts in Seville, demonstrating not only his passion for art but also his commitment to artistic education and community. Tragedy struck in 1664 with the death of his beloved wife, an event that plunged him into profound grief, leading him to withdraw from painting for a time. Seeking solace, he and his children took refuge in a Capuchin convent. Within this environment, he later created some of his most remarkable religious works, including altarpieces for the Augusterkloster, Santa Maria La Blanca, and the Hospital de los Venerables Sacerdotes.

Murillo, after a life devoted to art, spirituality, and family, passed away on April 3, 1682, at the age of 64. His legacy endures through his poignant and iconic works, which continue to touch the hearts and minds of art lovers worldwide, cementing his name as an immortal figure in the world of religious and Baroque art.

Wall art prints and famous paintings by Bartolomé Esteban Perez Murillo

To the top