Where can you see Francisco de Zurbarán in Madrid?

At the Museo del Prado: Still Life with Four Vessels. At the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando: Mercedarian friars. At the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: Saint Casilda. Museums move and lend their works, so check before a special journey.

What is Francisco de Zurbarán's most famous work in Madrid?

Still Life with Four Vessels, of about 1650, at the Museo del Prado. Two jugs, a terracotta vase and a cup on pewter plates, in a row on a shelf against black. Nothing happens, and it is one of the most admired paintings in the Prado.

When and where was Francisco de Zurbarán born?

Baptised 7 November 1598, at Fuente de Cantos, Spain. Francisco de Zurbarán died on 27 August 1664, at Madrid, aged about 66.

What is Francisco de Zurbarán known for?

Known as the Spanish Caravaggio. Painted whole cycles for the monasteries of Seville. Died in Madrid, where he had gone to seek work at court. Francisco de Zurbarán was a Spanish painter, of the Baroque.

Painter, 1598 to 1664

Francisco de Zurbarán

Zurbarán painted monks in white habits and a few pots on a shelf with the same stillness, as if each were holding its breath. Madrid has both sides of him.

Born: 1598, Fuente de Cantos, Spain
Died: 1664, Madrid
Movement: Baroque
In Madrid: 3 works in 3 museums

Where to see Francisco de Zurbarán in Madrid

Each work with the museum it hangs in. Museums move and lend their works, so check before a special journey.

Museo del Prado1 work

Still Life with Four Vessels
about 1650
Two jugs, a terracotta vase and a cup on pewter plates, in a row on a shelf against black. Nothing happens, and it is one of the most admired paintings in the Prado.

Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando1 work

Mercedarian friars
about 1628 to 1630
Standing portraits of friars of the Order of Mercy in their white habits, painted for the order's monastery in Seville.

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum1 work

Saint Casilda
about 1635
A Moorish princess turned saint, dressed in the silks of a Seville lady, the roses in her skirt the bread she was carrying to Christian prisoners.

The life of Francisco de Zurbarán

Francisco de Zurbarán was born in Extremadura in 1598 and trained in Seville, where the religious orders gave him his great commissions: whole cycles of saints and friars for their monasteries.

He was called the Spanish Caravaggio for his strong light and shadow. In his last years his style fell out of favour in Seville, and he moved to Madrid, where he died in 1664.

What to know

Known as the Spanish Caravaggio
Painted whole cycles for the monasteries of Seville
Died in Madrid, where he had gone to seek work at court

Born: Baptised 7 November 1598, Fuente de Cantos, Spain
Died: 27 August 1664, Madrid