Bartolomé Esteban Murillo: Google marks 400 years of the famous painter with a doodle

NP NEWS 24 ONLINE – Google Doodle today honours the 400th birth anniversary of Bartolome Esteban Murillo. He was a Spanish Baroque painter and his exact birth date is unknown. He mainly painted historical and religious scenes, portraits, and still figures in oil and fresco during the golden era of Spanish art.

Known for his dramatic lighting, radiant colour palette, and versatility, Murillo brought to life a wide range of subjects, from the grandeur of his Immaculate Conception to the casual grace of Two Women at a Window. Murillo is believed to have painted more than 400 works for Flemish merchants, convents and cathedrals, among others.

Believed to have been born at the end of 1617, and baptised on January 1, 1618, the Spanish painter first learned from his distant relative Juan del Castillo, also a Baroque painter. His most famous works include the Soult Immaculate Conception and the Vision of Saint Anthony.

He was best known for painting historical and religious scenes, portraits and still life’s in oil and fresco during the golden era of Spanish art. He brought life to a wide range of subjects, from the grandeur of his ‘Immaculate Conception’ to the casual grace of ‘Two Women at a Window’. Murillo cultivated his own style of painting, incorporating Flemish and Venetian influences and evolving throughout his career. Murillo’s paintings would go on to influence such future masters as Thomas Gainsborough and Jean-Baptiste Greuze.

Murillo had many pupils and followers. The prolific imitation of his paintings ensured his reputation in Spain and fame throughout Europe, and prior to the 19th century his work was more widely known than that of any other Spanish artist. Artists influenced by his style included Gainsborough and Greuze. Google marked the 400 years since Murillo’s birth with a doodle on 29 November 2018.

Among his works, ‘The Holy Family with dog’ and ‘The Adoration of the Shephards’ displayed in Museo del Prado are the most famous. The Museum of Cadiz, Spain has dedicated a room to the artist called ‘The Murillo Room’ exhibited his famous works.