Velasquez: The Painter of Painters

Diego da Silva Velásquez (1599-1660), the most important Spanish artist of his time, journeyed to Madrid at the age of 19, where a few years later he became the court painter for King Philip IV. Velasquez was a master of landscapes, religious and mythological subjects, and scenes from everyday life. Because of his unsurpassed skill and realistic use of color, light, and space he was known as "the painter of painters," and his influence can be seen in the works of Manet, Picasso, and Bacon, among others. In this documentary, director Didier Baussy explores the life of the artist and offers a close-up look at a Madrid exhibit featuring 79 (the lion's share) of Velasquez's paintings. The results are stunning, with images so sharp that viewers can see the individual paint strokes. But the film is more than just a photomontage, delving as it does into some of the controversy surrounding the artist (while offering an intimate look at the lives of the Spanish royal family), and examining how the latest scientific techniques can reveal new details about his work. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Asala)